| ORGANIC AGRICULTURE - DEFINITION |
Definition
Organic
Agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and
enhances agroecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and
soil biological activity. Organic agriculture is based on precise standards of
production which are obtained by using cultural, biological and mechanical
practices as opposed to using synthetic materials.
Codex
Alimentarius Comission, FAO/WHO, 1999
Organic
Agriculture is also described as "Biological Agriculture" (France and
Portugal
),
"Ecological Agriculture" (
Spain
,
Denmark
),
"Natural Agriculture" (
Japan
)
or "Biodynamic Agriculture" (part of
Germany
).
Ecological
Characteristics
Ecological
features are based on agroecosystems and make use of practices such as cultural
rotations, green manures, biological reaction against pests and diseases
Holistic
Characteristics
Active
interaction among soil, plants, animals, and humans considered to be an
unbreakable chain.
Sustainable
Characteristics
Sustainable
agriculture rests on the principle that we must improve the long term soil
fertility preserving natural resources, water and air and minimize polluting
practices. In addition to that, sustainable agriculture aims at recycling
animal or vegetal residues in order to return nutrients to soil. Therefore, the
system eliminates the use of synthetic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizes,
preservatives and additives.
Politically
Correct
Organic
agriculture integrates both farmers and consumers who share the responsibility
to generate foods and fibre products in an economically healthy way as well as
to preserve the biodiversity and agroecosystem.
The
system not only offers market opportunities but also chances for consumers to
choose organic foods in order to improve environmental quality.
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