What is Organic?

Organic is an agricultural method. It is based on agricultural management practices that

    * Create ecosystems capable of ensuring sustained productivity
    * Control weeds and pests through a diversity of interdependent forms of life
    * Recycle plant and animal wastes
    * Use crop selection and rotation
    * Manage water

With this method

    * Soil fertility is maintained and improved by a system that maximizes soil activity
    * plants and animals are provided with essential nutrients
    * Soil resources are conserved.
    * Insects and diseases are controlled by
          o encouraging a balanced host­predator relationship
          o increasing beneficial insect populations
          o using biological and crop controls
          o mechanical elimination of pests or damaged plant parts.

For Crops:

    * No chemical pesticides nor weed killers
          o instead use mechanical or biological techniques and organic methods
    * Neo synthetic fertilizer nor sewage sludge
          o instead reinforce the soil by using proven agriculture methods
    * No Seed originating from GMOs (genetically modified organisms)
          o instead use only original seeds

For animal breeding:

    * Neither antibiotics nor growth hormones
          o instead use alternative therapeutic techniques such as homeopathy
    * No animal wastes or slaughter by­products in food diets
          o instead use feed that is cultivated according to organic standards and without GMOs
    * No overpopulation of animals in closed building
          o instead provide decent living conditions with adequate moving space, sunlight and fresh air

For processed food products

    * No chemical dyes, artificial flavours nor synthetic additives including sulphates, nitrates
          o Preserving the original taste
    * No preservatives
    * No irradiation
    * No synthetic fungicides or preservatives in packaging or storage materials


From COG - Canadian Organic Growers