Organic agriculture is growing worldwide and there is a rising market sector of consumers willing to pay double or treble the normal price for meat or produce that carries an organic label **the sound of an ideal organic farm can be heard 2 minutes after downloading this page! click here if no sound **
Comparison between Organic & Intensive Husbandry Systems - The Ethical Matrix Approach: 2009
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Video: Minerals & Antioxidants Difference between Organic & Conventional Foods Selenium, Nitrate, Nitrosamine, Free radical Nutritional Quality Differences
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Why are Organic Meat & Produce Becoming So Popular?
The current meteoric rise of organic farming can be attributed to a combination of factors:
Successive food scares: BSE, E. coli 0157, Salmonella
Concern about genetically modified (GM) products
Concerns about livestock welfare in intensive systems
Belief that organic products are more nutritious
Fear of pesticide residues in non-organic produce
Fear of artificial fertiliser residues in non-organic produce
Fear of medication residues in non-organic produce
Fear of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in non-organic produce
high value niche markets sought by small scale farmers
Managing Foraging Free-Range Tamworth Pigs Outdoors in a UK Wood
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The UK Register of Organic Food Standards was established by Ministers to set national standards for organic production and processing. It consists of an independent Board and its secretariat is provided by MAFF. Since the introduction of European Union standards for organic food, UKROFS has become the UK authority for the monitoring and enforcement of these standards.
Biodynamic Agriculture - sustainable farming: UK Association
Organic Pig Farming Research in Britain
The U.K. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has funded a three-year Postdoctoral Research post in Organic Pig Production at the Department of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen.
The research is based at an organic farm in Oxfordshire and is designed to generate scientific information necessary to optimise systems for organic pig production.
At present, only a few organic pig farms exist within the UK but the market is developing rapidly and a major expansion in organic pig production is anticipated. Information on the optimal methods to achieve biologically and economically efficient production under organic standards is urgently needed. This three year project comprises a research collaboration between ADAS, Aberdeen University and current organic producers, in order to address this subject. It will include investigations of different genotypes, feeding regimes and pasture utilisation strategies, with assessment of their effects on health and welfare, reproduction, growth and meat quality.
Niche Markets for Organic Pig Farms in UK
>One sector of the pig industry that has suffered minimal impact from the economic downturn over the past year, is the "Organic Pigmeat" sector. Not only is this small sector surviving, but it is in fact growing, as hard-pressed pig farmers search for more profitable and secure "niche" markets. The organic sector is also being boosted by EU subsidies. Only about 7,000 organic pigs are produced per year at present in the UK, but they sell for two to three times the price of conventional pigs. Organic feed for livestock costs more than conventional diets, but a growing number of feed companies are offering it.
Certification of UK Organic Farms
With the recent establishment of the Aberdeen University Centre for Organic Agriculture (AUCOA), existing staff are involved in collaborative research with producers of a range of organic commodities. The project will also involve input from representatives of organic certification bodies, retailers and animal welfare organisations, offering a unique opportunity to gain experience of all facets of the food supply chain. The research will be under the direction of Dr Sandra Edwards, Department of Agriculture, MacRobert Building, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5UA.
Organic Farming & Food in the European Union
Only 2% European Union farms are organic (3% of EU agricultural land area) but organic meat, pork and organic produce production is a fast-growing EU market sector. Growth has been about 30% per year in recent years, but some plateaux effects are now becoming apparent.
A race is on by pig genetic ("seedstock") companies to develop "organic" swine genotypes and capture the anticipated market for supplying sows and boars whose progeny can survive and be productive without the constant support of antibiotics and pesticides. Performance trials of British Saddleback and Duroc crosses are in progress. Investigations are being funded by the UK Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) and by a major supermarket chain. One UK breeding company is already offering special "organic" hybrid gilts, developed specially for organic pork producers.
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Comparison between Organic & Intensive Husbandry Systems - The Ethical Matrix Approach: 2009
