• The use of the term organic, when applied to food, has a legal meaning

• It means the food has been grown and processed according to certain rules, known as Standards, which are legally enforceable in the UK and across Europe.

• These Standards cover every stage of organic food production, from farm to shop.

• For more information on the Standards, see the DEFRA website:  http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/index.html

Download a pdf of our leaflet -

Organic Food - what's it all about?

So how do I know if it's organic?

Make sure that the word 'organic' is on the label  -

and check out the logo

These logos appear on products licensed by some of the organisations in the UK

What do the organic Standards say?

Animal welfare:

• Animals must have enough room to express their natural behaviour

• All stock must have access to pasture when conditions allow

• Intensive feeding of beef and dairy cattle and the use of battery hen cages is not allowed

• No routine dosing with antibiotics

Growing crops:

• Growing different crops in the same area means that pests and diseases don't have a chance to build up from season to season

• Very few artificial fertilisers are allowed

• Farmers build up their soil fertility by the use of clover and animal manures

• Organic farmers are only permitted to use a small number of pesticides and even then only under certain conditions

• No herbicides are allowed on organic farms

• The use of all genetically modified materials such as seeds and feeds is prohibited.

• Methods used by organic farmers means that labour costs can be higher
• Generally, the farmers obtain lower yields than non-organic farmers so to remain in business they need to receive a higher price for their produce
• Organically grown feed for animals can be expensive to produce
• Processed organic foods can be more expensive than conventional equivalents because ingredient costs are higher and other organic restrictions can lead to higher costs
• Smaller quantities and longer distances which can be involved in fresh and processed foods sometimes raise the costs of production and marketing
• As with any product, when demand is high and supply is low, the price goes up and the farmer has very little control over this!

How can I find organic food at a reasonable price?

• You can often buy direct from the producer. This might be by box schemes, from farmers' markets, online sales, mail order or farm shops

• Produce can be cheaper when it's in season

• Most supermarkets and wholefood shops stock organic produce: if you can't find it,

• ask for it!

• By preparing your own food and avoiding highly processed foods, you may find that you are not paying any more overall than you would for non-organic food

• to find out where you can buy organic produce, download our booklet Local and Organic or try our retail directories page or our list of organic businesses in Wales

 Picture: Janet Baxter

What about the quality of organic food?

• Organic food contains fewer residues of the pesticides used in conventional agriculture, so buying organic produce is one way to reduce the chances that your food contains these pesticide residues

• There are indications that organic fruit and vegetables may, on average, contain higher levels of vitamin C and other important minerals

• The routine dosing of farm animals with antibiotics is not allowed

• There has never been a case of BSE among animals born and raised on an organic farm

• Only about 30 additives, such as salt and baking powder, are permitted in organic processed food, compared with more than 500 additives permitted for use in non-organic processed foods

• Hydrogenated fats, linked with heart disease, are not allowed in processed organic foods

• It has been found that animals fed on higher proportions of grass and clover have a high content of essential fatty acids

• A healthy diet should be well balanced and should contain plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. A diet dominated by highly processed foods may contain unhealthy levels of sugars, saturated fats or salt, whether or not it is organic

What is the future of organic farming in Wales?

• The Welsh Assembly Government developed an organic action plan in 1999, ahead of England and Scotland, and continues to support organic farmers

• The Welsh Assembly Government is encouraging greater provision of Welsh-produced food, including organic food, in schools, hospitals and other public institutions. See the public procurement page on this website

• Bigger food companies are increasingly investing in new organic products, often supported by the Welsh Development Agency and Farming Connect

• See also the National Assembly of Wales 2002 report, The future of organic farming in Wales

• OCW works with the Welsh Assembly Government to promote organic farming: see our policy pages

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Picture: Jeremy Moore

How can I find out more about organic food and farming and be part of this organic future?

See also:

• For the UK Government's view on organic farming www.defra.gov.uk/farm/organic/consumers

• The Soil Association, which campaigns for organic food and farming in the UK.  For their information on organic foods in relation to nutrition and health, click here.

• The Food Standards Agency Wales

• The Food Commission, an independent watchdog

• The Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth, which has organic gardening displays

• Friends of the Earth Cymru 

• For more detailed information on what organic farming is about click on What is organic farming?

Download our leaflet (PDF):

Organic Food: What's it all about?