Principle Requirements and Pre-Conditions

The Organic Agricultural Movement has adopted certain techniques that respect natural ecological balances to avoid products and methods, which are contrary to the principle aims.

The basis for crop production in gardening, farming and forestry is the consideration for the structure and fertility of the soil and surrounding ecosystem, as well providing a diversity of species. This is achieved by a combination of:

1. A versatile crop rotation
2. The recycling of organic material, and includes
3. A wide range of methods for the control of pests, diseases and weeds which avoiding the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
4. The basis for animal husbandry is the respect for physiological and ethological needs of the animals. This is achieved by a combination of:
5. Providing sufficient amounts of good quality organic fodder
6. Providing husbandry systems appropriate to behavioural needs
7. Proper veterinary treatment

Animals are an important part of organic farming system because

1. They contribute to closing the nutrient cycles,
2. Animals convert organic matter and are thus major contributors to soil fertility
3. Some animal species can utilize agricultural areas which cannot otherwise be used
4. Growing forage crops improves the crop rotation, the diversification and balance of the farming system
5. They may be for draught purposes
6. They can utilize by-products from agricultural production
7. They contribute to higher yield

The basis for natural ecological balances in livestock production is a harmonious relationship between the crop production and animal husbandry. This is achieved by a combination of:

Establishing as much self self-sufficiency of manure and animal feed on the farm unit as possible through specifying maximum stocking rates.

Converting plant protein and energy into animal protein and energy brings about losses during the metabolic process. For this reason crop, production for human nutrition and that for animal nutrition should generally be balanced. The basis of processing organic products is that its vital qualities are maintained throughout each step of the process. This is achieved by a combination of:

1. Choosing and developing methods, which are adequate to the specifics of the ingredients.
2. Developing standards, which emphasize careful processing methods, limited refining, energy saving technologies, minimal use of additives and processing aids etc.
3. The production and handling of organic products should seek to minimize the environmental degradation.