Organic Farming a real asset
Agriculture
Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA, has today voiced support for the organic
farming sector.
The
Minister emphasised the value of organic farming in response to recently
published research, commissioned by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which
states that there are no significant differences, in respect of nutrient
content and health benefits, between organic food and food produced conventionally.
Commenting
on the recent debate on the benefits of the organic sector, the Minister said: “Organic
farming provides many benefits, not only in terms of biodiversity and our
environment, but also in terms of contributing to the quality of our landscape
and the beauty of our rural areas. It is also a fact that organic production
restricts the use of pesticides, which in turn requires organic farmers to
spend time working with the land.”
The
Minister added: “My Department currently supports organic farming across the
North through the Organic Farming Scheme and the Countryside Management Scheme
because we recognise the benefits that it delivers. I believe that organic
farming is a real asset to our agri-food industry and that it delivers many
benefits to the local food chain.
“We
will continue to offer our services to all sectors, including the organic
sector, and I wish to re-assure our organic farmers on this point.”
Further
information on the Organic Farming Scheme and the Countryside Management Scheme
can be found at:http://www.ruralni.gov.uk/index/environment/countryside_management_main/pubs/agri-environment-scheme-leaflet-and-booklets.htm