faq

What is organic farming?

Organic Farming is a safe and sustainable farming system, which produces healthy crops and livestock, while minimising damage to the environment. It avoids the use of artificial pesticides and chemical fertilisers. Organic farming concentrates on developing healthy soil and growing a wide variety of crops maintaining a natural ecological balance. Animals are reared without many of the routine drugs used in modern farming.

What are organic products?

For our purposes here on the Organic Guide website, they are any food items coming from safe and sustainable farming systems adhering to EU organic standards. As well as food, these may include beauty and health products, as well as organic textiles.

How do I know if what I am buying is really organic? Any organic product sold in Ireland and the UK must by law display a certification symbol or number. When you see an organic symbol, you can be sure that the product complies with minimum government standards. These standards are set by the Irish and UK governments and meet European and international standards. Each certification body has its own symbol and EU code number.

Are all the listings on the Organic Guide website certified?

They most certainly are! Listings are certified with bodies such as Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA), Organic Trust and Demeter. All of these certification bodies follow the standards set in place by the UK government.

Are all organic standards the same?

No, some certifying bodies are more stringent than others. All organic standards must meet EU basic criteria then certifying bodies can develop their own higher standards.

What about imported organic products?

There are many certification bodies throughout the world, active in certifying and promoting organic food. When one of our listees wishes to promote an ingredient or product from another country that has been certified by another body, we need to know that the product has been produced to the same or equivalent standards as the basic EU standard. We do this by requesting information regarding the standard for each product. Anyone claiming to be organic who does not have a license is breaking the law. Imported goods will carry the mark of the certification body of the country in which they were produced, but a EU certification body will have supervised the import.

Can organic food contain genetically modified (GM) elements?

Genetic modification of plants and animals goes against the principles of organic food and farming. No GM inputs are allowed in the organic system and if they are found in organic food items, it cannot be labelled as organic. The EU is currently revising the organic regulation and is actually proposing that food with up to 0.9% GM contamination be allowed to be sold as organic and not labelled as GM. That could mean almost one in a hundred mouthfuls of organic food could be genetically modified.

How does organic farming help the environment?

Organic farming enhances soil structure, conserves water and promotes biodiversity. The avoidance of artificial chemicals means organic farmers have less pollution related health problems and decreased fossil fuel consumption.

How can I be sure that farmers and food processors are sticking to organic standards?

It is the responsibility of the certification bodies to ensure that all of the standards are being met. Organic producers are inspected annually and can also be subject to spot inspections to ensure they are complying fully with EU standards.

Where is the best place to buy organic produce?

There are over 180 producers listed on this website and in the Organic Guide for Ireland, which is set to be published in September 2008. Organic food is now widely available and where you buy it is a matter of choice. If you can get it from a local farmer, who perhaps runs a box delivery scheme, you will be helping them to make a decent living (no middlemen taking a big cut), cutting down on environmentally harmful packaging, reducing the road or air miles food has to travel and generally supporting your community. Farmers' markets are also good places to source organic vegetables. We also recognise that supermarkets have good ranges of organic food (although quite a bit is imported) and are convenient for many people.

What is a box scheme?

A box scheme is a box, bag, or net, containing freshly picked, locally grown produce, delivered weekly to your door or to a drop off point. Prices can vary and the operator decides what goes in the box. Produce varies from week to week as the growing season progresses. Most schemes operate locally, unnecessary packaging storage and transportation are kept to a minimum.

Where can I find out more about box schemes?

If you use the find button on this website you will find a variety of box schemes available in your area.

What is a farmers' market?

Markets usually held on a weekly basis where local producers sell their goods directly to the public near their source of origin, creating benefits to them and their local community.

Where can I find my nearest farmers' market?

There is a list of all farmers markets in Ireland North and South on the Boardbia website.

Is organic food nutritionally better for you?

Put simply, organic food contains more of the good stuff we need, and less of the bad stuff that we don't need.