Organic systems
The main components of organic farming are avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and the use of crop husbandry to maintain soil fertility and control weeds, pests and diseases.
However, since 1973 the inputs and practices used in organic farming have been strictly regulated in accordance with EU Regulation 2092/91 and the Organic Products Regulations 2004.
The standards which need to be complied with in the UK are detailed in the Compendium of UK Organic Standards.
Details of the relevant EU and UK legislation, including any amendments enacted after the Compendium’s publication, can be found on the organic legislation and standards page of the Defra website.
Arable
The main aspects of organic arable systems are:
- soil fertility
- crop rotation
- crop protection
- organic seed
- organic crop storage
Information on building soil fertility, planning a crop rotation and protecting your crops under an organic system is available from the organic farming methods section of the defra website.
Further information on pesticides is available from the Pesticide Safety Directorate.
Organic seed information can be found at the Centre for Organic Seed Information.
You may also obtain guidance from the organic inspection bodies.
Livestock
Livestock systems often form an integral part of an organic farming system.
The main aspects of organic livestock systems are:
- feeding
- housing
- health management
- use of manures
Further details of these can be found by visiting the organic farming methods section of the Defra web site, or from the organic inspection bodies.
Useful links
Defra
Organic Products Regulations 2004
Compendium of UK Organic Standards
Organic legislation and standards
External
Centre for Organic Seed Information
Page last modified: 8 February 2008
Page published: 1 July 2006