 |
|
|
|
GROWERS INFORMATION -
ARTICLE - WHY ORGANICS |
Organics: Why Organic and Organic
Certification?
By: Luis Bartello
In this issue we are going to explain to you a little bit more
about organics and its use, as well as the possibilities of
certification and reasons for certification.
But first of all:
What is Organic?
Organic refers to an “earth friendly” method of
growing/farming and processing foods. Plants, weeds and pests
are controlled using environmentally sound practices, which
sustain the health of the plants, our planet and ultimately,
our own health.
Organic systems recognise that our health is directly
connected to the food we eat and ultimately, the future of our
soil. One of the main features of organic farming is the
complete restriction of artificial chemical fertilizers and
pesticides in any part of the food chain. It uses only
naturally composted and reclaimed materials to sustain a
healthy and living soil and to protect the natural countryside
and landscape. The use of organics in agriculture is obviously
not a new phenomenon but a naturally occurring process.
It has been since the dawn of time that the earth has recycled
its natural deposits into reusable energies and nutrition, a
natural balance that has always existed and which is
ultimately the basis of all growth. Humans, animals and plants
are all living, feeding and expiring together simultaneously
in a self-sustaining life cycle where existence is based on
what has gone before, whilst providing the foundations for
future life to come.
Why Organics?
During the world wars of the last century, people-power was in
short supply in the agricultural industry as all resources
were directed to the war efforts. Ways of increasing
productivity and maintaining the food chain were as important
as bombs. Therefore the same scientists that were designing
weapons of mass destruction were set to work creating cheap
chemical substitutes to replace the labour intensive organic
farming methods.
These factory-made chemical fertilizers take away from the
soil rather than building it. Instead of recycling raw organic
materials and leaving the land to rest, chemical use meant
crops could be grown in continuous cycles whilst producing
large crops free from pests and other natural hazards. After
rendering soil useless in the name of a temporary fix, these
industrial chemicals are then washed into the earth’s water
tables killing and mutating fish, algae, and coral reef.
Residual traces of chemicals and pesticides can be found in
the produce itself, in the food we eat everyday. The cost of
clearing this pollution runs into many millions of dollars.
Eating organic fruits, vegetables or herbs, grown without the
use of “chemi-kills” or pesticides, has been proven to boost
the immune system of animals and help them recover from
disease. We also believe that agriculture should come
“back-to-earth” and out of the laboratories.
Furthermore, organic delivers the highest quality, best
tasting food grown without artificial chemicals or genetic
modification, with complete respect and care for the
environment. The health benefits of eating organic products
are numerous. Studies have shown that organically reared crops
contain greater sources of vitamins, minerals and amino acids
than chemically grown food due to the complete spectrum of
nutrients within the soil structure. Organic produce also
contains many more phytonutrients that are involved in
protecting the plants from pests and diseases. These are
produced profusely in organic crops due to the non-use of
artificial pesticides. The plants instead rely upon the
miracle of nature and produce their own natural defence
system. These phytonutrients are now being closely studied in
medicine and are proving to be useful in the treatment of
cancer.
Organic Certification
There are a lot of organizations dedicated to preserving the
standards of organic growing and producing. We are going to
discuss two of them; the SKAL/EKO (the international
foundation that supervises biological/organic production
worldwide) and the United States Organic Review Material
Institute.
The SKAL International foundation issues the EKO quality mark.
Biological/organic products do not contain any chemical
fertilizers or pesticides, chemical or synthetic flavours,
colours or preservatives. Furthermore products that have been
certified by SKAL International may not contain any
genetically modified organisms (GMO’s). Skal International is
the only inspection and certification organization that may
issue the certification mark, EKO quality symbol, outside the
European Union. The consumer can recognize an organic product,
inspected and certified by Skal International, by the EKO
quality symbol.
Skal International has been authorized as an international
inspection and certification organization in the EU member
states under the Regulation (EEC) Nr. 2092/91.
The Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) in the United
States is a non-profit organization created to ensure and
benefit the organic community and the general public. OMRI
certification is worldwide recognized as a high standard for
Organic manufacturers, distributors and, of course, for the
end consumer.
Its primary mission is to publish and disseminate generic and
specific (brand name) lists of materials allowed and
prohibited for use in the production, processing and handling
of organic food, crop and fibre. OMRI also conducts scientific
research and education on the use of materials by the organic
industry.
While certifiers share broad consensus about organic
standards, enough differences exist that a material approved
for use by one certifier may not meet another certifier’s
standards. OMRI assists in harmonizing the organic industry by
streamlining redundant materials review programs and helping
to create agreements on materials.
In the end, the choice of products is yours. The only thing
that is important is to get as much information as possible to
make a well-considered decision for yourselves based upon the
information provided.
Until the next time as always, enjoy your Maximum Yield
magazine.
JL, Biobizz |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
