No synthetic pesticides on organic spuds!
Organic food carrying the IOFGA logo has been produced to the highest standards. It is produced according to organic farming principles which are committed to working in harmony with nature rather than against nature. Organic farming works within the natural confines of the farming eco-system to provide you with great tasting food!
In practice organic farming;
- Avoids the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides
- Requires the highest standards of animal welfare
- Does not permit the use of genetically modified organisms
- Uses less fossil fuel energy per calorie of food produced
- Protects our biodiversity by maintaining suitable habitats for plants, animals and wildlife
- Encourages people to buy their food locally and in season
When you see the IOFGA logo on organic food you can guarantee that this product has been inspected and approved to meet the organic standards. Organic farming in Ireland is the one system of farming which is fully certified and regulated and we in IOFGA are proud to see so many high quality products carry our logo.
TEN REASONS TO BUY ORGANIC GOOD
- STRICT STANDARDS Organic food meets strict standards that are your assurance that it is healthy and safe to eat
- CHEMICALS AND PESTICIDES Organic farming does not use the chemicals and pesticides that are routinely used in non organic food production
- ANIMAL WELFARE Animal welfare is a priority for organic farmers and all animals are reared on grassland which is entirely free of chemical fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. Animals have free range and adequate living space and bedding so you can rest assured that an organic animal has had a good life.
- HEALTHY SOIL Organic farmers ensure that they maintain a healthy soil to pass on to future generations by incorporating methods such as rotations and adding natural fertility such as green manures or farmyard manure
- WATER QUALITY Organic farms preserve our valuable resources as no pollutants are released into our waterways
- BIODIVERSITY Studies have shown that organic farms support a greater number of species than non-organic farms
- ENERGY Organic farms do not apply artificial chemicals and fertilisers which are by-products of the fossil fuel industry. Instead organic farming methods increase soil carbon and therefore reduce green house gases. Organic farming can directly contribute to reducing our emissions and therefore reducing the impact of climate change
- GM Organic farming prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms
- TASTE Many people genuinely believe that organic food tastes better!
- GOOD FOR NATURE GOOD FOR YOU!
Organic growers use varieties with natural resistance to disease
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD
Proponents of genetic modification often state that it is the latest in a continuum of biotechnologies developed by humans since the dawn of time – from bread and wine-making to selective breeding. It is true that many of the food crops that we eat bear little resemblance to the wild plants from which they originated. Nevertheless, there are clear differences between genetic engineering and traditional breeding.
In nature genetic diversity is created within certain limits. For example, a rose can be crossed with a different kind of rose but not with a potato. Genetic engineering on the other hand usually involves taking genes from one species and inserting them into another different species in an attempt to transfer a desired trait or character. An example of this would be selecting a gene which expresses antifreeze characteristics from an artic fish (such as a flounder) and splicing it into a potato or strawberry to create frost resistance. It is now possible for plants to be engineered with genes taken from bacteria, viruses, animals, or even humans.
IOFGA is vehemently opposed to this type of technology in food production. We consider it to be unnecessary, unwanted, and unethical. We believe GM technology will compromise our ability as a country to produce safe food. We do not believe that GM foods can co-exist with organic farming and we strongly assert that the adoption of a GM free policy is essential for the island of Ireland.
We have been working with the GM Free Network to make consumers more aware of the dangers associated with GM food and we will continue to lobby the government to make Ireland a GM free zone. To find out more visit GM Free Ireland.
International trials of GM cultivation have shown that:
- Yields have not increased as promised.
- Reliance on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers has increased – not decreased as promised.
- Weeds and pests have developed resistance to GM crops and pesticides resulting in ‘superweeds’ and ‘superbugs’ that need even larger amounts of herbicides and pesticides.
- There have been problems with cross contamination and cross fertilisation between GM and non-GM crops. These have led to sometimes lengthy law suits and are a potentially explosive problem if more GM crops are planted.
- This technology is expensive and costly for farmers and makes them more dependent on the agribusiness giants in order to sustain a livelihood.
- There are proven health risks associated with GM technology. In 1998 Scottish scientists found damage to every single internal organ in rats fed blight resistant GM potatoes. There are many more such examples illustrating very serious concerns with GM food.
- GM technology has not reduced levels of world hunger as promised. In fact, it has made poor farmers more indebted and less self sufficient and consequently more food insecure than ever before.
The most convincing argument of all is that consumers throughout Europe have consistently voted against growing GM crops.
It is true that the era of cheap food is over – on account of rising production and fuel costs. However, this also shows that we should be moving away from oil based food production such as GM and embracing sustainable methods like organic farming – based on renewable energy and carbon reduction.
11 Comments
Dear Sir/Madam
I am a student studying “Food Business” in UCC. I am currently working on my thesis dissertation and focusing on the opportunities and challenges to marketing Ireland’s green image abroad. I find myself a little lost with regards to the definitions of “sustainable” and “organic” as in many regards they follow the same philosophy. I understand due to Ireland’s climate that we have an inherent advantage in pasture farming. Our foods are more “natural” compared with say the US which utilises grain feeding techniques heavy use of fertilisers and pesticides etc.
I intend to focus my paper on opportunities for the Irish dairy industry and would like to know if you have any information regarding say the levels of fertilisers, pesticides and general unsustainable practices used in Ireland. To phrase this better is it true to say that where the the majority of Irish dairy produce is non-organic are the levels of pesticides, fertilisers comparable to our US counterparts and other EU countries?
Thanks you for any help you can offer me! It is hugely appreciated!
I am curious to know whether the cows that produce organic milk are grassfed cows or corn fed. If they are corn fed then I would be hesitant to drink the milk. Also do these animals get injections and vaccinations?
With thanks
Hi Emily
In Ireland cows that are certified organic are primarily fed on organic grass. At certain times during the winter they may need to be fed concentrates however these are certified organic and the mix does not contain corn.
Hi Emily,
Organic cows are not routinely dosed or fed anti-biotics there is very strict controls.
Kind regards
Grace
I’ve read reports that organic crops are sprayed with ‘natural’ pesticides but when tested, these pesticides contained just as many carcinogens as synthetic pesticides. Can you tell me if this is true and, if so, are there any measures being put in place to improve the quality of these pesticides?
Hi
Myself and my family have moved to organic, i have a question.. Do organic meat farmers feed say their cows for beef, feed that contain any chemicals, i have heard that the feed organic farmers give to their animals can contain Neotame (sweetos)?? Neotame is currently being marketed as “Sweetos” for use in cattle feed. Molasses has been utlized to get cows to eat foods made unpalatable by chemical additives. Neotame is both less costly than molasses and subject to fewer regulations. I have heard that Neotame has been approved for the use in alot of organic food, please can you answer this question.
Thank you
Hi Catherine
Thank you for your query. Neotame has not been approved for use in organic food in Ireland. In reality many organic farmers in Ireland feed a very small amount of concentrated feed the vast majority of the diet is made up of hay and silage. Organic molasses may be used by farmers and is sometimes used with silage. I hope that this answers your query. To briefly explain the standards there is an EU regulation and then in Ireland we have higher private standards that all producers are operating to, this may be used in the EU standards. Our standards are lenghty however if you wish to view them click on our members section and you will see a link to download the Organic Food and Farming Standards in Ireland which is our private standards that all of our members are operating to.
Kind regards
Grace
Hi Liz, organic crops are sprayed with natural pesticides which are nettle sprays, comfrey sprays and garlic sprays none of which have carcinogenic properties. I hope that helps your query.
Regards
Grace
Hi Alan
Thanks for your query. It is true to say that Irish dairy products are not as intensive as other European countries and the US. However there is still an environmental concern over the use of artifical fertilisers and the use of sprays. There is also issues with methane, ammonia etc however with regard to the non organic sector I think that you should contact Teagasc to gain a more accurate account of the environmental footprint associated with the production of dairy products.
Kind regards
Grace
I made a comment some weeks ago about the fact that “Farmed Salmon” was given the ORGANIC label. However my comment was removed from your Site without any answer.
My compoter was “down” for almost one week and maybe I missed your answer.
Also how could I get my “Kitchen Garden” classed Organic and what is the cost – if any.
Yours faithfully
Michael Canney.
Hi Michael
Thanks for your email, the most direct way to contact us is by using the contact page to leave an email as it comes directly into our email accounts. Regarding your query about organic salmon, there are regulations for organic salmon production just like other forms of organic production. IOFGA do not certify any salmon farms, we do however certify smoke houses that use organic salmon. In Ireland certification for organic salmon is carried out by Global Trust and IMO.
With regard to your own garden, if you are supplying just yourself and family then there is probably no need to get it certified however is you are selling the product on or using it in a restaurant or lodge as I see your email is then you do need to get it certified. The cost depends on the size of the garden as it is based on acreage. The fee would be in the region of €150 if it is small scale.
Kind regards
Grace Maher
Development Officer IOFGA
Tel 087 6125989