Organic farming is being widely promoted as more healthy for both people and the environment. While there is a lot of debate about whether it is safe to use chemicals on our crops, or to develop genetically modified (GM) food and livestock, many people are voting with their money, buying organic food over conventionally-farmed food. But what exactly is organic food and farming?

The term 'organic' describes the way produce is grown and processed, and aims to work with nature rather than against it. The term is defined by law, and doesn't just apply to food, but also to wood, clothing and gardening products. A few of the requirements for organic food production are as follows:

• Very large restrictions are placed on the use of artificial (chemical) fertilisers and pesticides (up to 450 chemicals can be routinely used in conventional farming)
• Animals are reared without the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers
• Animal welfare must be of a good standard, and they must have access to the outdoors
• Additives such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Aspartame, and hydrogenated fat (which are known to cause heart disease, osteoporosis, migraine and hyperactivity), are not permitted in the final product
• Must not contain any genetically modified (GM) ingredients

Chemical fertilisers and pesticides are replaced by promoting healthy, fertile soil, and by crop rotation, designed to vary crop demands on the soil from year to year. Soil is made more fertile with the use of livestock manures, composts, and leguminous plants, such as clover. Pests and disease are reduced by building bio-diversity, the use of resistant crop varieties, timing of cultivation, and biological controls such as insects which eat pests, and plants which discourage them. Herbicides are not used to control weeds, and therefore the fields have to be weeded manually.

Studies have shown that organic farms have many more insect, bird, soil organisms and wild plants than conventional farms. The greatly reduced use of chemicals in organic farming is good for wildlife, there are lower levels of pollution from sprays, and produces less dangerous wastes.

The slight downside to this arrives at the consumers' door. Organic food costs more. This is for several reasons:

• Crop rotation results in some land being left unused for a period
• Higher animal welfare standards cost more
• Without herbicides, the fields have to be manually weeded, which involves a lot of man-hours

Studies have shown that organic food generally contains more Vitamin C and minerals (including calcium, magnesium, iron, and chromium) and antioxidants, which can help fight cancer, and many people say organic food tastes better. Organic food is naturally better for the environment, and better for us because it doesn't contain potentially unsafe chemicals.

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