Good for Nature; Good for You

The EU has launched a new initiative to promote organic agriculture. The campaign, entitled Organic Farming, Good for Nature; Good for You, is designed to educate us about what organic agriculture means and why it's beneficial. Jargon free and easy to use, the site looks at the way in which organic agriculture cares for the enviroment with low-input production and a less intensive approach; it looks at the affect of organic farming on protecting natural resources and promoting biodiversity and it touches on the economic benefits of organic agriculture and the difference it can make in developing the economies of rural communities.

Trevor Sargent, T.D., Minister of State at the department of agriculture, food & fisheries, has welcomed the initiative, saying:

“Access to information is a key driver in the development of the organic sector and this new website will be a very useful addition."

The current programme for government has a commitment to increase organic acreage in Ireland to 5% by 2012. Currently, it's at 1% and growing.

You can find out more at their website http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/home_en.