Organic food Why should I bother? Why should I bother? Wikimedia Commons image by zabdiel licensed under the creative commons license.

Does it have more nutrients? “A major EU-funded study has found that nutrient levels were higher in organic foods. It found that levels of nutritionally desirable compounds, such as antioxidants and vitamins, were higher in organic crops…….” (May 2009) “According to a new, independent study funded by the Government’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) there is little, if any, nutritional difference between organic and conventionally produced food…….” (July 2009) Answer: not proved either way

Does it taste better? Answer: not proved either way People who grow their own food using no chemicals often say that the food tastes much better. Some people choose organic food because they believe it tastes better but each person may have different opinions when tasting food so there is little proof available. Image by Flickr user justinKnol and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons license

Does it contain less chemicals? Answer: organic food contains less chemicals Several studies have found that 25% of organic food carries synthetic pesticide residues, in comparison to 77% of conventional food. Wikipedia public domain image from the US Federal Government

Does it look better? Answer: What do you think? On many conventional farms, the farmers are forced to grow certain varieties of plants that always look perfect – any that don’t, are rejected by the powerful supermarkets that buy most farm products. On many organic farms, the farmer is less concerned with the appearance of the fruit or vegetable and may grow varieties which are supposed to taste better. The ‘perfect’ tomato Organic tomatoes Wikimedia Commons images by FoeNyx and Stu Spivack licensed under the creative commons license.

Does it cost less? Answer: organic food costs more Milk Tesco organic semi-skimmed: 0.7p/litre Tesco pasteurised semi-skimmed: 0.5p/litreMince Organic Beef Mince 500g: £2.26 Non-organic beef mince 500g: £1.15 Fruit and Vegetables: Organic broccoli 1kg: £2.39 Non-organic broccoli 1kg: £ organic Gala apples: £ non-organic Gala apples: 88p

Can organic farming feed everyone? Answer: organic food cannot produce enough food to feed everyone in the UK The amount of food that a farmer produces from each crop is called the yield. On conventional farms, the yields of all the crops is high as farmers use powerful chemical fertilisers to make the crops grow and they lose little of the crop to disease or insect damage as they spray the crops regularly with more chemicals. On organic farms, the yields are lower as the farmers use only natural fertiliser. In addition, it is more difficult to prevent plant diseases and damage from insects so some of the crops may be lost or damaged. Wikimedia Commons image by Surachit and licensed under the creative commons license.

Does it help wildlife? Answer: more wildlife on organic farms There is lots of evidence to show that birds, animals and insects such as bees and butterflies are much more common on and around organic farms since these farms don’t use any chemicals. On conventional farms, the farmer kills all bugs and insects so there is no food for birds to feed on. There are few animals since there is little shelter – the farmers have often removed hedges and trees to make fields bigger. They have also removed ponds and marshy areas so no frogs, newts or dragonflies. Butterfly image by Flickr user TexasEagle, dragonfly image by Flickr user kretyen and hare image from Wikimedia by Fmickan, all licensed under the creative commons license.

Is it better for our water supply? Answer: organic farms are good for clean water On conventional farms many of the chemicals that are sprayed on the crops get washed into the soil and into rivers. This means that the water becomes polluted. Sometimes it turns bright green in summer because the algae feed on the chemical fertiliser. The water companies who take water from underground or from rivers have to remove all the farm chemicals to make our tap water safe to drink. Organic farms use no artificial chemicals so the water supply is kept pure and clean. Image by Flickr user Andy matthew and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons license

Is it better for the planet? Answer: organic is much better for the planet On a conventional farm, most of the artificial chemicals are made from fossil fuels, particularly oil. The chemical works where the fertilisers and pesticides are made produce greenhouse gases which cause global warming and pollute the air that we breath. They can also cause acid rain which kills trees and also fish and other wildlife in lakes and rivers. Wikimedia Commons top image by lovecz and bottom image by analogue kid and licensed under the creative commons license.

Is it better for the animals and birds on the farms? On conventional farms, many birds and animals are kept indoors, sometimes in very cramped conditions. There is no natural light, no space to move and they are fed on chemicals and artificial food. On organic farms, the birds and animals have to be given freedom to move around, go outside and behave naturally. They are given a natural diet. Answer: organic is much better for the birds and animals Clockwise from top left: Image by Flickr users bobcatnorth, sunfox, Farm Sanctuary, treehouse1997 and Farm Sanctuary and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons license