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Organic farming
Organic farming standards are very detailed and vary considerably from
one end product to the next. For example, the rules covering beef production
are different from the rules covering pork production, and from the rules
governing crop production.
Common organic farming practices:
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animal welfare - care is taken to ensure that livestock can
freely express natural behaviours, have sufficient space and freedom
to roam
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environment - conservation and the impact of farming upon
the local environment are key concerns; organic farms seek to preserve
and encourage local insect and animal wildlife, and therefore care
for local habitats surrounding farmlands
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health - "we are what we eat" is a well known phrase;
the food scares of recent years have reinforced this, and have contributed
to the increase in demand for organic produce; organic standards seek
to prevent the incidence of artifical chemicals and other toxins from
the food we eat
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conservation and resources - organic farming practices avoid
the use of artificial chemicals, keeping pollution to a minimum, and
caring for surrounding lands
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GM Free - the use of genetic modification is banned in organic
production; this is a serious concern, since GM trials conducted too
close to organic lands could compromise the standards achieved by
organic companies
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processing and distribution - methods used seek to keep pollution
and the use of raw materials to a minimum; packaging should be recyclable
and the transport of produce from "farm to fork" should
not be via Timbuctoo
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irradiation-free - organic food is not bombarded with radiation
to prolong shelf-life.
More information is given under the relevant food sections on this website
Organic farming: related sites
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Elm Farm Research Centre
Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HR
Tel: 01488 658298
Fax: 01488 658503
Website: www.efrc.com
Email: elmfarm@efrc.com
Elm Farm Research Centre is the UK's leading organic research,
advisory, and educational organisation. Home of The Organic Advisory
Service providing conversion and general organic advice. Also organic
advice under DEFRA's Organic Conversion Information Service. Visit
our farm trail, organic beef and sheep telesales, regular Bulletin
newsletter and other publications, Organic Demonstration Farm Network
and Farmer Groups. Practical and policy solutions for sustainable
land use, agriculture, food systems, and local economies. Organic
principles and standards. |
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Optivite Ltd
Main Street, Laneham, Retford, Notts. DN22 0NA
Tel: 01777 228741
Fax: 01777 228737
Website: www.optivite.co.uk
Email: optivite@compuserve.com
Working with nature to provide specialist feed stuffs for the organic
farmer. |
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Emerson College Trust Ltd
Hartfield Road, Forest Row, East Sussex RH18 5JX
Tel:01342 822238
Fax: 01342 826055
Website: www.emerson.org.uk
Email: mail@emerson.org.uk
Emerson College, England is an adult centre for education based
on the work of Rudolf Steiner. We now offer a 3 year Biodynamic
Organic Agriculture Training for people wishing to run or convert
to a biodynamic Organic farm. For further details of this training
and the other courses we offer, please visit our website or telephone
us on the above number.
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