What is Organic?

There are lots of different views on this important topic; so here we bring together some definitions and opinions from a number of authorities on the topic.

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Our Summary of What it Means to Be Organic...

Organic farming uses the earth’s natural resources for sustainability.  It emphasises appropriate land management and aims to ecologically achieve the balance between animal life, the natural environment and food crops. Organic farmers do not use pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified foods, growth promoters or hormones.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. The produce that is produced through organic farming is thus at its most natural form.

 
We can therefore see that organic farming is not only more humane, but also better for the environment than conventional farming.  There has been evidence of widespread environmental damage due to conventional farming and the use of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilisers. Salinity, blue-green algae in waterways and soil fertility decline are just some of the examples of land degradation.
 
Before a product can be labelled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet FSANZ (Food Standards Australia and New Zealand) organic standards.  Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

Definition of Organic from Biological Farmers of Australia

The BFA is Australia's largest representative organic body, so their view is clearly important:...

Certified Organic products are grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMOs. It is an innovative method of farming and production – and is increasingly being recognised as being on the leading edge of food and fibre technology into the future.

Organics is not just chemical free by testing. It is about the way your food is grown and handled. The whole system is linked - Soil. Plants. Animals. Food. People. Environment. Standards to achieve this are internationally recognised, and are assured through annual audits of all certified operators by an independent third party auditor.

A Final View on What it Means to be Organic

An interesting view from The Queensland Government Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries...they differentiate between organic farming and certified organic produce:

What is 'Organic' Farming?

Like any other farming system, organic farming is complex and not easily defined. Most farmers implement some practices that would be considered 'organic', such as crop rotations. The key characteristics of organic farming are:

• Long-term soil fertility through the management of organic matter.
• Slow-release nutrient sources such as composts and crop residues.
• Bilogical nutrient sources such as nitrogen 'fixing' crops.
• Cultural practices such as natural predators, crop rotations, and manual weed control.
• Avoiding highly intensive livestock production by ensuring animals have sufficient space to meet their needs.
• Being mindful of off-farm impacts such as biodiversity and sedimentation.

Organic farming is more than agricultural production without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms. Organic farming emphasises a holistic farm management approach, where rotations and animals play an integral role to the system.

What is 'Certified-Organic' Produce?

Certified organic produce has been organically grown, harvested, prepared and transported in systems that guarantee the produce is not contaminated by synthetic chemicals, fumigation or irradiation. Organic produce exported from Australia must meet the Australian national standards and any requirements of the importing nation.

Organic produce sold on the domestic market must be certified by one of the seven organisations accredited by AQIS. To guarantee that a product is organic it must be labelled as ‘certified-organic’ with the registration number and certifying body’s logo. No matter how 'organic' or free from pesticides your produce may be, it is an offence to sell it as 'certified-organic' without the necessary certification.

Summmary of Understanding What it Means to be Organic