The principles of organic agriculture

1 The concept of the farm as a living organism, tending towards a closed system in respect to nutrient flows but responsive and adapted to its own environment. 

2 The concept of soil fertility through a living soil which has the capacity to influence and transmit health through the food chain to plants, animals and [humans] and that this can be enhanced over time. 

To work as much as possible within a closed system, and draw upon local resources. 

To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural techniques. 

To produce foodstuffs of high nutritional quality and sufficient quantity. 

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It is clear that the idealism set out initially in the principles of organic agriculture has had to be tempered by practical considerations. The standards adopted have to aim for a balance between the desire of consumers for organic products and considerations of ethical and ecological integrity and the practical and financial needs of producers. As a result, synthetic vitamins are now allowed in organic poultry feeds, with some restrictions. 

IFOAM (2005) The principles of organic farming. Available as a web-publication on http //www.ifoam.org/organic facts/principles/pdfs/Principles Organic Agriculture.pdf... 

IFOAM principles advocate the promotion of healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein, but this remains largely unspecified in terms of measurable standards. While the IFOAM principles of organic agriculture cited above would direct organic farmers not to over-abstract water, there is little obvious evidence of clear definitions of these terms. For example. 

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