Having worked closely with the organic industry for almost a decade, as a civil servant in the Ministry of Agriculture (as it was) and in running the Food and Drink Federation's organic industry group, I believe that the growth in the organic food sector has brought many benefits to farmers round the world.
However, in recent years I have become concerned by a willingness to market the organic brand through a number of misleading claims concerning production.
Before paying a premium to buy organic foods consumers should be aware of a number of factors. Organic farmers do make regular use of a number of pesticides such as copper sulphate to deal with diseases and pests. Nor is there scientific evidence to prove organic food is any healthier than conventional produce.
Organic farmers do use antibiotics in livestock production when required for animal welfare reasons. Only a small percentage of the feed given to organic livestock is produced organically.
Many organic food products also have a significant carbon footprint due to packaging and food miles.
Dominic Dyer
Chief Executive, Crop Protection Association
Peterborough
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/letters/5972933/Misleading-claims-on-the-credentials-of-food-marketed-as-organic.html
