Features
How Pure is Organic Food?
Over the past few years of organic production, I have developed rather strong views about organic standards and the goods being produced and offered for sale in Ireland. I believe the Organic Standards are for conventional producers who know nothing about organics, and if the truth be told, do not want to know anything about organics. They want to jump on the organic bandwagon because they think there is money to be made. They have no feeling for the spirit of organics and need a set of rules to work to so that they can call their product 'organic'. To me, the concept of organics is much more about ethics and respect for every living thing on this planet than it is about a set of standards to be followed to the letter. I think one should read the standards, study them carefully, and then do one's very best not to comply with them. Don't waste your time working out the fine details of how much cheap conventional or in conversion feed you can safely use, how many animals you can officially fit into your housing and what corners you can cut and still keep to the letter of the law. It is not really very difficult to be more organic than the standards.
Second grade
Organic producers can do so much better than the basic standards. Recently I read an article about how much more conventional feed could be used in the 'organic' diet if the amount of organic grazing was included in the computation of the make up of the feedstuffs. To be frank, I was shocked that the author would show himself up in this way. Surely it is preferable to be told how to reduce the amount of conventional and in-conversion feed in the diet rather than how to increase it and stay within the Standards?
Identifying producers
Producers are able to charge a premium rate for organic produce, and the customer is entitled to get the best possible, highest quality organic product for that extra charge. However, the customer must also play his part in getting the best possible produce for his money. I would encourage everyone to buy organic products which carry the name and address of the person who produced them so that they know the producer had enough pride in his product to put his name to it. I do not want to buy Tesco organic goods because Tesco are not an organic company. If they actually had the conviction of organic goodness and superiority, their principles would not allow them to sell conventional produce. Similarly, I do not want to buy organic goods from a company that also produces conventional products. It seems to me perfectly obvious in this case that the organic range is only being provided to make money and these goods will only be produced to the lowest organic standards because the company is forced to follow the basic legal standards. A company convinced of the superiority of organics would not lower themselves to produce conventional goods.
Confused consumers
Organic producers should have enough confidence to realise that producing at a higher level than the standards demand will give you a better product. Aim to improve your product along totally organic lines and your reputation will improve likewise. Reputation is everything - this is proved by the fact that last year when I was selling broiler chickens I was told that they were very expensive compared to Mr. X (a well-known organic producer). This was very embarrassing for me, as I knew I was offering my chickens at a reasonable price, but I later found out that Mr. X had raised his chickens conventionally and sold them and people just assumed they were organic because of where they were reared. Which brings me to my next point, which is directed at the organic certification bodies? Enforce the standards! In my opinion, there is no excuse for an organic producer to produce anything conventionally, and I believe it is not allowed without permission from the relevant organic certification body. What reason could such a body have to allow conventional production by an organic farmer? What reason would an organic grower have to want to produce anything conventionally anyway? Either you think it is all right to give animals, birds, etc. conventional feed which has been sprayed with chemicals (fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, etc.) or you do not.
No Exceptions
The standards allow a proportion of conventional raw materials and some artificial substances such as amino acids to be added to feed, but I feel that if these are used, then this should be stated on the label of the resulting produce. Also, if permission is given for sprays etc. to be used on growing grain, vegetables, etc., then this should be stated on the label of the end product. The same applies to derogations on a 'per farm' basis. If an organic farmer cannot keep to the standards, and requires permission to use a restricted product, this fact should be stated on the label on the product. The consumer has a right to know that the goods in question have not reached the required standard and contain chemicals etc. which he rightly expects not to be there.
Pure organic
What we label as organic should be totally organic without exceptions. Producers should be encouraged to try that little bit harder to be better than the basic standard. Then consumers will be confident in choosing Irish organic products, offered by dedicated organic producers, that are not only the best available, but seeking to improve all the time.
Well known organic goat’s cheese makers, Inagh Farmhouse, have launched two new products in the St. Tola range. Named ‘Divine’ and...
