What is organic agriculture?

Organic food production is based on a system of farming that mimics natural ecosystems that balance
pest and beneficial organism populations and maintain and replenish fertility of the soil. The term
‘organic’ in the United States is applied to the agricultural products produced on farms that adhere to
the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) Rule.

How do organic farms manage fertility?

Organic farmers manage crop nutrients through a crop rotation that includes cover crops and the
application of plant and animal organic matter, generally in the form of compost. Appropriate tillage and
cultivation practices improve soil structure, organic matter content and soil microbial life. Mined
minerals, and a few allowed synthetic substances are permitted as supplemental sources of nutrients,
provided that soil, crop, and water contamination are avoided.

Do organic farmers take any precautions when they apply manure on organic farms?

Yes. Raw manure and other animal and plant material must be handled in a way that prevents water, soil
and crop contamination. In order to be applied without a days-to-harvest restriction, manure must be
properly composted. Crops for human consumption that have the edible portion in contact with the soil
– including leafy greens – must be harvested at least 120 days after the application of uncomposted
manure. Other crops for human consumption must be harvested at least 90 days following the
application of raw manure.

How are insect pests managed on organic farms?

Organic farm systems protect crop damage by insect pests primarily through the use of biological and
cultural practices such as crop rotation; diversification; habitat management; beneficial organism
releases; sanitation; and timing. Some natural substances, such as botanicals, and a few relatively non-
toxic synthetic pesticides such as soap are permitted by the USDA National Organic Program Standards
when used in conjunction with the farm plan and used according to the restrictions found on the
National List.
How are weeds managed on organic farms?

Weed management on organic farms consists of cultural and mechanical techniques such as the rotation
of crops that suppress weeds, mulching, tillage, cultivation, water management, and manual weeding.
Weeds often help to conserve soil, improve organic matter, and provide beneficial habitat for natural
enemies on organic farms. Plastic mulches are permitted provide they are removed at the end of the
season. Insects and diseases can help to keep certain weed populations in check. There are a few natural
substances that are also used to manage weeds, but the efficacy of these substances is still subject to
question.

How are crop diseases managed on organic farms?

Soil-borne diseases are managed by improving organic matter and biological activity. Cultural, biological,
and physical methods such as rotation, sanitation, pruning, and selection of disease resistant varieties
are all part of organic disease management. Some natural substances, such as clays, and a few synthetic
fungicides such as copper sulfate are permitted by the USDA National Organic Program Standards when
used in conjunction with the farm plan and used according to the restrictions found on the National List.

What are the requirements for converting to organic dairy production?

There are two means of converting dairy animals to organic production:

1) Animals from conventional sources must be maintained under organic management for 12 months
prior to sale of any products as organic. Replacement animals may be added to the herd after a similar
12-month conversion period.

2) If an entire, distinct herd is converted, a one-time allowance is granted to permit feeding of up to 20%
non-organic feed for the first 9 months, followed by 100% organic feed for three months. If this type of
conversion is made, all replacement animals must be managed organically from the last third of
gestation.

How do organic animals meet their nutritional requirements?

All agricultural products provided in the feed ration must be organic, with a limited amount of
supplementation and additives. Ruminant livestock must have a significant portion of their feed needs
met by pasture.

How do producers maintain the health of organic animals?

Livestock health care must be based on preventive practices, such as balanced nutrition from organic
feed, stress reduction, and preventative practices. Medications on the National List may be used only
when necessary, and may not be administered in the absence of illness. Antibiotics are not permitted
and products from animals treated with any prohibited medication must be diverted from organic
marketing channels.

What methods are available to manage parasites in organic livestock?

Organic livestock producers rely on cultural practices to minimize parasite infestations. Synthetic
parasiticides may be used only if they are on the National List and are prohibited for use in slaughter
stock.

What are the living conditions for organic livestock?

All organic animals are required to have access to the outdoors and exercise areas, and must be provided
with healthy living conditions. Ruminants are also required to have access to pasture.

What is the National Organic Program?

The National Organic Program (NOP) consists of the regulations and regulatory agents to establish and
protect the standards for agricultural products labeled as ‘organic.’ These standards are known as the
National Organic Standards. Congress authorized the USDA to establish the NOP by the Organic Food
Production Act of 1990. All organic food label claims made in the United States must now be backed by
valid certification according to the NOP Rule.
Who has to be certified?

The USDA regulations require that all producers and handlers that make an organic claim for their
products must be certified by a USDA-accredited certification agency. The only exceptions are for small
farmers or handlers with less than $5,000 in gross organic sales, handlers that buy and sell without
repackaging or changing form, and retailers that do not process food. Exempt operations must maintain
records and follow the exact same production practices as certified farmers in order to label their
products as organic.

Who does the certifying?

The USDA accredits state, private and international agencies to certify agricultural products and food as
organic under the NOP.

How long does it take to transition land farmed conventionally to organic status?

In order to be eligible for organic certification, land must have had no prohibited materials applied to it
for three years immediately preceding harvest.

Must an entire farm be converted, or can a farm make the transition field by field?

A farm can be converted field by field. However, to be certified, a field must have distinct, defined
boundaries and buffer zones to protect it from runoff and unintended contamination from adjoining
land. The farm also needs to have facilities and record keeping in place to ensure and document that
organic and non-organic crops are not commingled.

What are acceptable sources of animals used for organic meat production?
Slaughter animals can come from any breeding stock that has been organically managed from the last
third of gestation.

What sources of poultry are acceptable for organic poultry products?

Poultry must be managed organically from the second day of life.

Can animals be converted to organic production at the same time as the land?

Yes. Livestock operations may convert animals with the land on which they are pastured.

What does it mean to be ‘certified organic’?

Certified organic means that the food has been grown and handled according to the National Organic
Program Standards and inspected by independent state or private organizations. Periodic unannounced
inspections are also conducted. Certification includes annual inspection of all farm fields and facilities,
farm activity records, plus periodic testing of soil, water and produce to ensure that growers and
processors meet National Organic Standards.

How can I contact an organic certifier?

You may visit the website www.tnocd.org.

How much does certification cost?

Each certification body is required to establish and publish fee schedules that are applied fairly to all
applicants. Fees vary considerably from agency to agency, and depend on the size and type of organic
operation to be certified. Some state departments of agriculture are offering a significant reimbursement
under a federal cost-share program.
Is organic certification automatically recognized in other states?

All U.S. states and USDA-accredited certifiers accept certifications issued by USDA accredited or
recognized certification programs. Foreign governments and international certification bodies have
similar organic standards but may insist on additional certification to confirm operators who export
organic products meet their standards. Some U.S. certifiers offer this additional service.

How does a farm get certified?

The operator obtains and reads the National Organic Standards, and conducts a self-assessment to see if
the operation meets these requirements in terms of land history, production practices, materials used
and recordkeeping procedures. In many cases, some practices and systems need to be modified to
comply. Once an operation complies, the operator then selects an accredited certifier, submits an
application, gets inspected, meets any conditions identified by the certifier, and obtains a certificate.

What are the penalties for misuse of the term “organic?”

Any operation that knowingly sells or labels an agricultural product as “organic,” not in accordance with
the Organic Foods Production Act and the National Organic Standards may be subject to a civil penalty of
not more than $10,000 per violation and criminal sanctions based on violation of Federal laws governing
fraud and false statements.

Must organic farmers use organic seeds?

The NOP Rule requires that organically produced and handled seeds be planted when such seed is
commercially available for the variety. Annual transplants must always be organically grown unless the
Secretary of Agriculture in response to a natural disaster or other major interruption issues a temporary
variance. All seed used in organic production must be untreated, or treated only with substances (such
as microbial products) that are on the National List. Farmers are required to use certified organic seed
when it is commercially available. Commercial availability is based on ability to obtain the seed in an
appropriate form, quality, or quantity, as reviewed by the certification agent.
What is an Organic Systems Management Plan?

Organic certification requires an Organic Systems Management Plan, also known as an Organic Farm Plan
or Organic Handling Plan. These documents identify who is responsible for the organic operation and
describe the management and recordkeeping practices to monitor implementation of that plan. The plan
serves as a contract between the operator and the certifier. Most certifiers assist operators in developing
their plan by providing forms and guidance documents. Organic Systems Management Plans must be
updated at least annually in order to maintain certified organic status.

How does an Organic Systems Management Plan relate to soil management?

Farmers are required to demonstrate that they use appropriate tillage and cultivation practices without
negative impacts on soil structure, and manage crop nutrients and fertility using crop rotations, cover
corps, and application of organic materials. There is also a requirement that soil organic matter be
maintained or improved in a manner that does not contaminate crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients,
pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or prohibited materials. The farmer must have a system for
monitoring all practices and procedures, as well as records for all farm inputs, harvest products, and
storage facilities.

What farm inputs are allowed and what materials are prohibited in organic production?

In general, the NOP allows natural (non-synthetic) substances and prohibits synthetic substances, unless
they appear on the National List.

What is the National List?

The National List contains the allowed synthetic and prohibited natural (non-synthetic) substances that
are exceptions to the general rule for organic production. It is not a comprehensive list of all approved
materials, rather it can be described as an “open” list since it contains only 1) synthetic materials allowed
for use in crop and livestock production and 2) nonsynthetic (natural) materials prohibited for use in crop
and livestock production.
Who determines if a specific product is acceptable for use on an organic farm?

In most cases, the certification agencies determine whether or not the use of a given input on an farm
complies with organic standards.

Should an organic farmer plan on what inputs to use in the coming year?

Organic farmers should anticipate production needs and determine the practices and inputs needed to
achieve that production. All fertilizers and pesticides that a farmer intends to use over a season must be
included in the farm plan. In all cases, a certified farmer should have any products used on the farm are
approved by his/her certification agent before the input is used.

Are there any further restrictions on the use of fertilizers and pesticides in organic farming?

Farmers need to be aware of the limitations of the National List when it applies to farm inputs. Producers
may only use substances listed for crop use on crops. For example, phosphoric acid is permitted in
livestock sanitation, but not as a fertilizer. A material listed for a specific use is restricted to that use, i.e.
soap is listed for insect control but not disease control. Some materials have specific restrictions, for
instance - copper must be used in a manner that minimizes accumulation in the soil.

What are the recordkeeping requirements when a farmer uses a material?

Farmers are required to document all products applied to crop and soil. One must know all of the
ingredients in order to determine whether or not an input complies. Certifiers will review products
themselves or rely on an outside service.

If a fertilizer is labeled ‘organic,’ will a farmer be able to use it on certified organic land?
Fertilizer labeling is regulated by state laws, most of which define organic in a way that is not compatible
with organic standards. Caution is needed in evaluating fertilizer labeled as organic, as it might include
prohibited synthetics such as urea or sewage sludge.

Can pesticides be used on an organic farm?

Most pesticides are prohibited for use in organic production, but a number are allowed with restrictions.
In crop production, pesticides must have active ingredients that are either non-synthetic or on the
National List, and all inert ingredients must be non-synthetic or classified as List 4 –(inerts of minimal
concern) by the EPA.

What feed additives and supplements are permitted?

Natural (nonsynthetic) feed additives and supplements are permitted, as are synthetic substances that
are on the National List. These include synthetic vitamins and minerals, which are limited to the amount
necessary for adequate nutrition. Slaughter by-products are prohibited for feeding to mammals and
poultry, and urea and manure re-feeding is prohibited for all livestock. Synthetic amino acids are not
included on the National List, with the exception of a temporary allowance granted for methionine for
use in poultry until October 2005.

What are we supposed to do when we need to treat a sick animal?

Animals that are sick must be treated. A producer who withholds treatment from a sick animal to
maintain its organic status can be decertified. If a synthetic animal drug used to treat an animal does not
appear on the National List, then the animal must be diverted to conventional channels.

Are any parasiticides allowed?

Only one parasicitide, Ivermectin is on the National List. It is restricted for use in dairy and breeding stock
only. Parasiticides are categorically prohibited on slaughter stock.
Will it be possible to tell if a product meets organic standards just by reading the label?

The EPA has implemented a new voluntary labeling program to help identify products that meet NOP
requirements. Approved registered pesticide in this voluntary program can include the phrase “for
organic production” on their labels. Not all products that are compliant with organic rules will be so
identified.

What does "Certified Organic" mean?

"Certified Organic" means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are
verified by independent state or private organizations. Certification includes inspections of farm fields
and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure that
growers and handlers are meeting the standards which have been set.

Can any type of agricultural product become certified organic?

Yes, any agricultural product that meets third-party or state certification requirements may be
considered organic. Organic foods are becoming available in an impressive variety, including pasta,
prepared sauces, frozen juices, frozen meals, milk, ice cream and frozen novelties, cereals, meat, poultry,
breads, soups, chocolate, cookies, beer, wine, vodka and more. These foods, in order to be certified
organic, have all been grown and processed according to organic standards and must maintain a high
level of quality. Organic fiber products, too, have moved beyond T-shirts, and include bed and bath
linens, tablecloths, napkins, cosmetic puffs, feminine hygiene products, and men’s, women’s and
children’s clothing in a wide variety of styles.

Are all organic products completely free of pesticide residues?

Certified organic products have been grown and handled according to strict standards without toxic and
persistent chemical inputs. However, organic crops are inadvertently exposed to agricultural chemicals
that are now pervasive in rain and ground water due to their overuse during the past fifty years in North
America, and due to drift via wind and rain.

Do organic farmers ever use pesticides?

Prevention is the organic farmer’s primary strategy for disease, weed, and insect control. By building
healthy soils, organic farmers find that healthy plants are better able to resist disease and insects.
Organic producers often select species that are well adapted for the climate and therefore resist disease
and pests. When pest populations get out of balance, growers will try various options like insect
predators, mating disruption, traps, and barriers. If these fail, permission may be granted by the certifier
to apply botanical or other nonpersistent pest controls under restricted conditions. Botanicals are
derived from plants and are broken down quickly by oxygen and sunlight.

Why does organic food sometimes cost more?

Prices for organic foods reflect many of the same costs as conventional items in terms of growing,
harvesting, transportation and storage. Organically produced foods must meet stricter regulations
governing all of these steps, so the process is often more labor- and management-intensive, and farming
tends to be on a smaller scale. There is also mounting evidence that if all the indirect costs of
conventional food production—cleanup of polluted water, replacement of eroded soils, costs of health
care for farmers and their workers—were factored into the price of food, organic foods would cost the
same or, more likely, be cheaper.

Is imported organic food produced to the same standards as that from the UK/EU?

Yes. All organic food must come from growers, processors or importers who are registered and subject to
regular inspection. Importers must prove:

That the products they wish to import have been produced to rules equivalent to those laid down in
Articles 6 and 7 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (as amended); and were subject to inspection
measures equivalent to those laid down in Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (as
amended) and that such inspection measures will be permanently and effectively applied.

I have an urgent import, can I get my authorisation quickly?

We process applications strictly in the order in which they are received. There are no exceptions made to
this.
If your application is fully completed and we are satisfied with the information provided, you should get
your authorisation within 10 working days, however, we cannot guarantee that this will be the case.

Who completes the certificate?

The Certificate will be completed by the certification body that certifies the exporter of the goods in the
third country or by their properly appointed representative. This body will endorse the certificate at box
15.

Who keeps the Certificate and for how long?

The importer is required to retain the certificate for inspection for at least two years.

What happens if the Certificate is incorrectly completed or not present at the port of entry?

Failure to provide a correctly completed Certificate will result in the consignment being refused Customs
Clearance.

You will be given several options:

Store the consignment under customs control until the certificate arrives or a correct certificate is
received.

Remove all references to organic production from the labelling, packaging and accompanying documents
and market the goods as conventional.

Re-export the consignment.

Destroy the goods.

Is organic food more expensive?

The packaged, labelled variety is obviously so. In the developed world this is almost universal because
natural fertilizers and labour costs are high. But in India there are still plenty of places where you can get
cheap organic food and cheap food that uses no pesticides. In many, many places food is organic by
default because the farmer is growing an indigenous variety of crop that requires no chemical pesticides
or fertilizers.

Is there a difference between "natural" and "organic" foods?

Yes. The term "natural" is very broad, and can include organic foods, but not all natural foods are
organic. Natural foods are generally minimally processed and free of artificial ingredients, but not
necessarily organically grown.

Do organically grown vegetables and fruits need to be washed?

It is a good idea to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating to help ensure food safety.

But how can we farm without chemicals?

You can take advantage of what nature offers and improve it without creating damage. Recycling of
organic wastes like straw and grass and animal excreta makes great fertilizer. Growing the crops that are
native to the region usually ensures that the plants already have high resistance to the local pests. Pests
are reduced through multiple-cropping and using bio-pesticides. Building up populations of beneficial
insects (insects who feed on bad bugs) is a tried-and-true method of pest control. Prevention is the
organic farmer’s primary strategy.

What is wrong with normal farming?

Normal chemical farming has much that is wrong with it. In any case until about five or six decades ago
organic farming was normal farming. Until the Green revolution, that is. Modern chemical dependent
farming has huge ecological costs, is bad for the health of the farmer and his/her family and affects the
health of the people who eat the food. And most importantly the stuff does not work! Every year the
pests grow resistant to the pesticides and the soil fertility falls.

What are bio-pesticides?

Bio-pesticides are pesticides derived from natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and minerals. In
India, a range of neem products such as the extracts of neem kernel, the seed and leaf have created a
great deal of interest for being cheap and effective.

What do I get from organic farming?

First off food is nutritional and safe. Research shows that organic products have more minerals, less
water and less artificial chemicals. So the taste is generally more natural. Organic vegetables usually
contain higher level of Vitamin C, protein and other minerals.

Are there organic farmers in India?

There are a thousand odd registered farmers in India but there are many more who are organic by
default or ideology.

Is all organic produce "pesticide-free?"

Organic crops can sometimes be exposed to the traces of agricultural chemicals that are now detected in
nearly all rain and ground water in India, due to their overuse during the past 50 years. Pesticide
residues are rarely detected on organic produce, and are certainly well below levels on conventionally
produced food.

It is not the cost which is important but the education of consumers backed by will to do so, about the
hazardous effects of chemicals?
There is sometimes apprehension among farmers that when they switch from inorganic farming to
organic farming, thy may get lower yields. This transition can be successfully tackled by first switching to
sustainable type of Agriculture i.e. including bio inputs along with inorganic inputs and subsequently
reducing the inorganic inputs and switching to complete organics without any loss in yields, rather
improvement in yields, quality and taste of the produce.

Are genetically modified organisms (GMOs) used in the production of organic food?

"The Soil Association believes that genetically modified organisms have no place in organic food or
farming and they are therefore prohibited under the Standards for Organic Food and Farming" - Soil
Association policy statement on genetically modified organisms.

The Soil Association prohibits the use of GMOs in organic food production and in animal feed.

How are organic manures beneficial in the cultivation of crops?

Organic manures increase the organic matter in the soil. Organic matter in turn releases the plant food in
available from for the use of crops. However, organic manures should not be seen only as carriers of
plant food. These manures also enable a soil to hold more water and also help to improve the drainage
in clay soils. They provide organic acids that help to dissolve soil nutrients and make them available for
the plants.

How are organic manures differing from fertilizers?

Organic manures have low nutrient content and therefore need to be applied in larger quantities. For
example, to get 25 kg of NPK, one will need 600 to 2000 kg of organic manure where as the same
amount of NPK can be given by 50 kg of an NPK complex fertilizer. The nutrient content of organic
manures is highly variable from place to place, lot to lot, and method of preparation. The composition of
fertilizers is almost constant. For example, urea contain 46% N regardless of which factory makes it any
where in the world.
How much of plant nutrients are provided by organic manures?

Just as different fertilizers contain different amounts of plant nutrients, organic manures are also not
alike.

Average quality of farmyard manure provides 12 kg nutrients per ton and compost provides 40 kg per
ton.

Most of the legume green manures provide 20 kg of nitrogen per ton.

Each ton of sorghum/rice/maize straw can be expected to add 26 kg of nutrients.