Organic systems recognise that our health is directly connected to the health of the food we eat
and, ultimately, the health of the soil.

Organic farmers produce good food from a balanced living soil.
Strict regulations, known as standards, define what they can and can't do.
They place strong emphasis on protecting the environment.

They use crop rotations to make the soil more fertile.
For example, a farmer might graze sheep on a field one year, making the soil more fertile, then plant wheat the next and so on.

They can't grow genetically modified crops and can only use - as a last resort - seven of the hundreds of pesticides available to farmers.

Parasite problems in farm animals are controlled through regularly moving the animals to fresh pasture and other preventative methods, rather than routinely  dosing the animals with drugs.

Here are some of organic farming's main features:
Organic farming severely restricts the use of artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Instead, organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil and growing a mixture of
crops.
Animals are reared without the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers common in
intensive livestock farming.

The word organic is defined by law. Any food labelled organic must meet a strict set of standards. Look for the Soil Association symbol for your guarantee of the highest organic standards. Find out more about the law.


Why more people are choosing organic?
- Food safety: Organic farmers, as far as possible, avoid using unnecessary chemical sprays.
- Food additives linked to asthma and heart disease are among those banned under organic standards
- The environment: Organic farming is friendlier to the environment so there is a much greater
diversity of birds, butterflies and plants on organic farms. Organic standards ban the use of
GM technology
- Animal welfare: Organic farming requires animals to be kept in more natural, free-range
conditions with a more natural diet
- Taste: Many people tell us they buy organic food because they believe it tastes better.