Community Eco-Challenge, Southern Group Environmental Health Committee, Riverside House, Armagh, BT61 9EG. Tel:02837515800  Fax:02837515801  Email:info@communityecochallenge.com

Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here      Calculate your Ecological footprint! Click here ORGANIC FOOD The benefits of organic food are often debated, and studies often report differing opinions on whether or not there are any health and/or environmental benefits from organic food production. This aside, there is some information below on what exactly ‘organic’ means, as well as some of the potential benefits it may offer. Organic food is produced under certain regulations. For crops to be considered organic, they must be grown without conventional pesticides, artificial fertilisers, human waste or sewage sludge. They must not contain food additives. To call animal products ‘organic’, the animal must be reared without the routine use of antibiotics, and growth hormones. In most countries, the produce should not be genetically modified.  ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Supporters of organic farming claim that food produced this way has a smaller environmental impact than conventionally produced food. The general consensus across various surveys is that: Organic farms do not release synthetic pesticides into the environment — some of which have the potential to harm local wildlife. Organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems e.g. populations of plants and insects, as well as animals. When calculated either per unit area or per unit of yield, organic farms use less energy and produce less waste, e.g., waste such as packaging materials for chemicals. (Taken from, ‘Organic Food’ http://en.wikipedia.org) ORGANIC FOOD & HEALTH Several studies have suggested that there are the following benefits from a predominantly organic diet: Reduces the amount of toxic chemicals ingested Avoids GMO’s (genetically modified organisms) Reduces the amount of food additives and colourings (linked to hyperactivity in children) Increases the amount of beneficial vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, and antioxidants consumed Appears to have the potential to lower the incidence of common conditions such as cancer, coronary heart disease, allergies and hyperactivity in Children (James Cleeton, Policy Projects Co-ordinator at the Soil Association)