Sir; Following some ill-judged remarks by David Miliband, organic is back in the news - a sure sign that growth in media and political interest is matching the 30% year-on-year growth in sales. I welcome this widespread adoption of organic food and doubt growth will be dented by Miliband's apparently hostile comments.
But by describing the purchasing of organic food as merely a 'lifestyle choice' last weekend, the Defra secretary is patronising consumers and dismissing the evidence. This includes that from his own department, which indicates real benefits to the environment, for animal welfare and for human health from organic farming.
Independent science conclusively shows organic farms support more bugs, beetles, butterflies and birds than non-organic farms, which is why Defra gives organic farmers additional grants for benefiting wildlife. Animal
welfare groups, like Compassion in World Farming, also endorse organic systems as better for livestock.
Human health is dependent on a wide range of factors, but an increasing body of science indicates higher
vitamin, mineral and trace
elements in organic food than non-organic food. Notwithstanding this evidence, the public are no fools and are well aware that over the years numerous pesticides and antibiotics used in intensive farming have been banned or withdrawn from use.
Consumers' conscious and growing choice to buy organic food is about a great deal more than just 'lifestyle'.
But by describing the purchasing of organic food as merely a 'lifestyle choice' last weekend, the Defra secretary is patronising consumers and dismissing the evidence. This includes that from his own department, which indicates real benefits to the environment, for animal welfare and for human health from organic farming.
Independent science conclusively shows organic farms support more bugs, beetles, butterflies and birds than non-organic farms, which is why Defra gives organic farmers additional grants for benefiting wildlife. Animal
welfare groups, like Compassion in World Farming, also endorse organic systems as better for livestock.
Human health is dependent on a wide range of factors, but an increasing body of science indicates higher
vitamin, mineral and trace
elements in organic food than non-organic food. Notwithstanding this evidence, the public are no fools and are well aware that over the years numerous pesticides and antibiotics used in intensive farming have been banned or withdrawn from use.
Consumers' conscious and growing choice to buy organic food is about a great deal more than just 'lifestyle'.
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