a brighter future for organic farming?
by Jenny Bryan and Rachel Newcombe
The demand for organic food is on the rise, with three-quarters of households in the UK choosing to buy some or all of their regular shopping organically. But with many items still being imported, what's being done to encourage farmers increase the availability of home-grown organic food in the UK and is organic food really more nutritious and healthy?
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Since December 2002, when the government launched their Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food, they've been gradually tempting farmers with financial rewards if they take up organic farming initiatives. Getting farmers to commit is the key element and, as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) admitted, previous financial incentives have failed to lure farmers.
At the time, the government pledged to ensure that, by 2010, 70% of organic food consumed in Britain would be produced here too. Bearing in mind that only 30% of organic produce was produced in Britain in 2002, that's quite a significant increase to aim for. But two years into the scheme, early reports suggest they're succeeding and are on course to reach the 70% goal by 2010. One estimate suggests that the proportion of organic food supplied by UK farmers has already reached 44%. What's more, according to the Soil Association, for the first time the total retail market for organic products has reached over £1 billion, which is encouraging news for supporters of organic food.
In their Organic Market Report 2005, the Soil Association revealed that sales of organic food are growing by a massive £2.3 million a week - much faster than sales of non-organic groceries. 'This report shows that the popularity of organic food is growing steadily and the organic market has a bright future,' said Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association. 'Increasing numbers of people are eager to buy local to obtain the freshest organic food possible and to cut down on the environmental pollution caused by 'food miles', which is good news for small local producers.'
As far as organic farming goes, 'the Government now recognises the significant benefits to society delivered by organic farming and has stated that it is better for wildlife, has high animal welfare standards and causes lower pollution,' he added.
This is a sentiment echoed by Margaret Beckett MP, the Secretary of State, who wrote in her foreword to the Action Plan to Develop Organic Food and Farming in England: Two Years On report, 'Defra continues to recognise that organic farming and food offer real benefits for the environment and many consumers value organic food production methods and are prepared to pay a premium for food produced to organic standards.'
Farmers are continuing to be encouraged to go organic by generous financial incentives. Recently Defra agreed to allow farmers involved in existing agri-environment schemes, such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Environmentally Sensitive Agreements, to upgrade to the Organic Entry Level Stewardship scheme if they can clearly demonstrate that the transfer will result in significant environmental benefits. This will hopefully result in more farmers taking part and increasing the production of organic produce.
why do people buy organic?
Valerie lives on a tight budget, but she chooses to spend a little more on her food than she needs to because she buys organic. She keeps her shopping bill down with special offers and two-for-one deals and, if an organic product is clearly over-priced, she simply does without.
'I've been buying organic since the early '90s for two reasons – environmental and personal. I don't like intensive farming methods and over use of chemicals because it's bad for the environment and, from a health point of view, I don't want to ingest things from food produced in that way,' she explains.
Valerie is not convinced that organic food is more nutritious than non organic food, but she's in no doubt that some things – strawberries, for example – taste better when grown organically than when forced to grow in artificial conditions outside their natural season.
Shopping for a family of six, plus dog and guinea pigs, Cathy also needs to keep a close eye on the week's shopping bill. But she subscribes to a local organic box scheme because she wants to know that the vegetables delivered to her door are as fresh as possible.
'We rarely buy organic food from supermarkets because, for us, it's more to do with taste and supporting local producers. We wouldn't buy imported organic food but we do support our local butcher even though his meat is not organic because we're happy with the farms where it comes from,' she explains.
Her four children consume so much fruit that she can't afford to buy that organically, but she does insist on organic eggs in order to avoid the antibiotics or additives that non-organically reared birds may have been given.
fewer pesticides?
The fact that more people are buying organic than ever before suggests that, like Valerie and Cathy, they pay the extra for environmental as well as safety reasons.
Few would try to argue that organic food doesn't have the upper hand when it comes to pesticides, since organic farmers use far less of them than conventional farmers. There is an approved list of compounds which organic farmers can use without losing the organic label and, although they can use veterinary medicines to treat sick animals and prevent disease, organic produce is likely to contain fewer pesticide and drug residues than non organic produce.
How dangerous such residues are to human health is hotly debated. The British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) points out the very small proportion of samples that do fail residue tests still contain far less than the levels considered unsafe for human consumption.
BNF nutritionist Sarah Stanner is concerned that people who cannot afford organic produce may be put off buying non organic fruit and vegetables by pesticide scares.
'We know that eating fruit and vegetables can reduce your risk of heart disease, and that's much more important than any small, unproven risk from pesticides,' she explains.
more nutritious?
Little research has been carried out to compare the nutritional quality of organic and non organic food. In its report, Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health, published in 2001, the Soil Association concluded that the nutritional content of organic food is higher than non-organic foods. Specifically, it argued that organic crops are higher in vitamin C, essential minerals and plant nutrients with potential benefits to health.
'My analysis suggests that farming methods can make a significant difference to levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, and the evidence of this is strong enough to warrant the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Defra and the Department of Health funding more research in this area,' commented the report's author, Shane Heaton.
While acknowledging the importance of consumer choice between organic and conventional food, the FSA was not impressed by the report:
'We are not persuaded to change our position on organic food, which is that there is not enough information to say that organic food is significantly different in terms of food safety and nutrition from conventional food.'
The BNF takes a similar view, arguing that studies suggesting that organic fruit and vegetables contain more vitamins and minerals than non organic produce were not well enough designed to show a difference. However, Sarah Stanner points out that organically produced meat and fish may have nutritional advantages because of their lower fat content. Grass-fed animals also have higher levels of the omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fats – the type also found in oily fish which are known to have a protective effect against heart disease. A recent study found significantly higher levels of omega-3 in organic milk than in its conventionally produced counterpart. One pint of organic milk contains the entire daily recommended intake of omega-3.
risks from microbes
Restricted use of antibiotics in organic farming has led to concerns that there may be more microbes in manure used in organic systems which could, in turn, cause food poisoning. Once again there is a lack of firm evidence, but this time it favours organic farming. The FSA points out that Soil Association recommendations for manure storage and treatment on organic farms are likely to reduce levels of any organisms in manure spread on farm land. It adds that less than 5% of outbreaks of food poisoning are due to fruit and vegetables and most of these are caused by viruses which would not have come from animal waste. However, the FSA and Defra are carrying out research into the use of organic waste on all types of agricultural land.
A report suggesting that organic and free-range chickens may be more likely to be infected with Campylobacter – a common cause of food poisoning – received widespread publicity in November 2002, especially as the research was carried out for the FSA
Since then, scientists at Bristol University received funding from the FSA to study incidence of Campylobacter in organic, free-range and intensive indoor poultry systems. Preliminary results presented to a meeting in 2004 suggested that organic and free-range chickens may be more likely to have campylobacter, but it's not yet known whether they have a harmful strain. Like other bacteria, Campylobacter are killed when meat is properly cooked. 'Humans, chickens and all animals have large numbers of bacteria in their intestines, most of which are not just harmless but are essential to health. Most strains of Campylobacter cannot cause food poisoning,' explained Richard Young, from the Soil Association.
Experts admit that they still don't know enough about this issue and that more research is needed to fully understand the situation. However, the Soil Association say, 'Even if further research establishes that some organically chickens carry pathogenic strains of Campylobacter, we believe that the lower use of antibiotics in organic poultry farms will make it less likely that such strains are resistant to antibiotics.'
future research
It takes very large, long-term trials to demonstrate even relatively small health benefits from different foods, so there are unlikely to be any early answers to questions about the superior nutritional benefits of organic produce. Serious safety problems related to pesticides or other chemicals come to light more quickly because of their effects on local wildlife, but more subtle damage is harder to detect.
The Action Plan for Organic Production in England set aside £5 million to support research and development related to the organic sector over a five-year period. A whole host of research projects are currently underway and, as this programme unfolds, questions about the environmental and nutritional impact of organic farming may at last be answered.
help and info
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organisations
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Helpline: 08459 33 55 77 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Textphone: 0845 300 1998
E-mail: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.defra.gov.uk
Defra is the UK government department responsible for the essentials of life such as food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Contact them for information on any related issue, from environmental concerns and organic farming standards to waste and recycling, from the pet travel scheme to water contamination and hunting with dogs.
National Farmers' Retail and Market Association (FARMA)
PO BOX 575
Southampton SO15 7BZ
Tel: 0845 45 88 420 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm)
E-mail: justask@farma.org.uk
Website: http://farma.org.uk
FARMA enables you to buy local food and save the planet! It helps with direct sales from farmers to customers through all types of retail outlets, from markets to home delivery. It also inspects farmers markets and retail outlets to check that they are the 'real thing' and encourages more environmental production practices, such as organic or pesticide-free.
Soil Association
40-56 Victoria Street
Bristol BS1 6BY
Tel: 0117 314 5000 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm)
E-mail: info@soilassociation.org
Website: www.soilassociation.org
Offers help and information on anything related to organic food and farming, including an online library, a consumer guide to shopping locally for fresh food and advice on the issues involved in food production.
Sustain: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming
94 White Lion Street
London N1 9PF
Tel: 020 7837 1228 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm)
E-mail: sustain@sustainweb.org
Website: www.sustainweb.org
Offers information and support to those involved in practises that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals and which improve the working and living environment. Projects include the Children's Food Bill and the Organic Action Plan.
websites
British Nutrition Foundation
www.nutrition.org.uk
Provides information on current nutrition issues, nutritional advice and information for all stages of life – from pregnancy to pre-school children and adolescence to older adults. Includes a section on organic produce.
Food for Life: the school meals action pack
www.soilassociation.org/web/ ..
This Soil Association action pack guides you through the first steps to improving school meals and shows how to change meals for the better by sourcing local and organic products.
Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
An independent food safety watchdog set up to protect the public's interests in relation to food. Aims to promote best practice within the food industry and help people to eat more healthily. Has information, news and frequently asked questions on healthy eating, food labeling, safety and hygiene.
Gustoguide
www.gustoguide.co.uk
This UK site is an online guide to organic restaurants and shopping.
Garden Organic
www.gardenorganic.org.uk/
Europe's largest organic membership organisation, dedicated to researching and promoting organic gardening, farming and food. Website explains how to grow your own organic fruit and vegetables, and has details of events, news and publications.
Organic Food
www.organicfood.co.uk
An informative organic lifestyle magazine, this site features ten top reasons to go organic, news stories, a herb library, a database of organic retailers, plus a good links section.
Organic Food Federation
www.orgfoodfed.com
One of the longest established approved organic certifiers in the UK. Certifies organic processors, producers and importers, as well as retailers and caterers. Website features guidance notes on organic certification.
The Organic Consultancy
www.organic-consultancy.com
Services include advice on organic processing techniques, guidance through UK and EU organic legislation and assistance in obtaining organic certification. Website explains the basic principles of organic food manufacturing and features articles on organic food.
Organic UK
www.organicgarden.org.uk
This site offers independent advice and support for UK organic gardeners, with factsheets, articles and links to other resources.
reading
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The Organic Directory 2004-2005: Your guide to buying local, organic produce by Clive Litchfield (Ed) (Green Books, 2004) |
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Organic Farming by Nicolas Lampkin (Old Pond Publishing, 2002) |
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Organic Farming, Food Quality and Human Health (Soil Association, 2001) |
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Organic Super Foods by Michael Van Straten (Mitchell Beazley, 1999) |
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Allotment Gardening: An Organic Guide for Beginners by
Susan Berger (Green Books, 2005) |
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(updated December 2005, resources updated March 2005)
