Organic?

I am always confused as to what organic means and why it is so important. Sometimes I even think it's simply a marketing ploy. So here's my basic understanding:

So what is it and why is it so important?

• Organic farming is a way of farming that works in harmony with the land while respecting the environment and it's animals. It is a way of farming crops and animals without the use of chemicals e.g. pesticides, fertiliser and medicines. Instead earthworms keep the soil healthy while insect and animal life naturally deter crop pests. Farmers rotate the crops to keep the soil healthy, and animals are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and other drugs. So to achieve Soil Association certification they have to achieve very high standards of animal welfare.

So why do it?

• Conventional farming causes serious environmental damage and costs the tax payer millions. Not to mention organic food tastes better! But it is also better for you - studies have shown that the levels of chemicals in non-organic foods exceeds the legal levels set by government regulations.