Organic Standards

All OMSCo farmers have to be registered with one of the recognised UK organic certification bodies. This involves undergoing a process of conversion to organic production that takes a minimum of two years. Once certification is granted, annual inspections are carried out to ensure that the all the criteria for certification continue to be met. Failure to do so will result in certification being withdrawn. Our farmers are all members of one of the following:

• The Soil Association www.soilassociation.org
• Organic Farmers & Growers  http://www.organicfarmers.uk.com
• The Organic Food Federation http://www.orgfoodfed.com
• Demeter  http://demeter.net

The Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) is a UK government authority responsible for the approval and supervision of the organic certification bodies themselves. This, in turn, comes under the umbrella of the EEC who regulate organic farming all over Europe. The standards are constantly evolving because every new proposed product and service has to be thoroughly evaluated before it can be passed for organic status. Broadly the standards cover the following:

Livestock:
The emphasis is on positive livestock management to maintain healthy stock and a balanced system. Organic cows are given plenty of space and kept in social groups. Over-stocking and single pens are not allowed as they are unnatural and create stress for herd animals like cattle. This can lead to a reduced immune function resulting in the need for routine antibiotic treatment, which is banned in organic systems. Feed is strictly regulated and no GM, urea or solvent-based products are used.

Soil fertility:
Artificial chemicals and fertilizers are avoided as their benefit is short-lived and they can seriously pollute water-courses. Instead, a sustainable system including the planting of nitrogen-fixing crops such as clover is used to build a fertile soil. Along with active habitat management this encourages micro-organisms and earthworms that keep the soil healthy.

Pest, disease and weed control:
All herbicides are prohibited on organic farms. Herbicides are highly toxic and can make problems worse over time as they can disrupt the food chain by removing the beneficial insects and wildlife that act as natural predators for crop pests. They also pose a serious health risk to the farm workers who have to use them, as well as the public who live adjacent to farms where sprays are used. Organic farmers use alternative methods of control such as crop rotation, active habitat management, careful timings of cultivations and seed selection. The aim is for long-term sustainability - not a ‘quick-fix’ solution.

Conservation:
The development of a healthy environment is a piority on an organic farm. A variety of measures are employed to ensure a rich, natural habitat. Field margins are left unploughed to allow wild mammals and insects to flourish. Hedges can only be cut in the winter so that nesting birds and insects are not disturbed. This is only done every other year in order to allow healthy growth.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs):
GMOs and their derivatives are strictly prohibited at every stage of production. These are regarded as unnecessary intervention, the long-term effects of which are still unknown.

In addition, OMSCo encourages its farmer members and processors to follow the principles laid down by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural

Movements (IFOAM) which are:

• To produce sufficient quantities of high quality food, fibre and other products.
• To work compatibly with natural cycles and living systems through the soil, plants and animals in the entire production system.
• To recognise the wider social and ecological impact of and within the organic production and processing system.
• To maintain and increase long-term fertility and biological activity of soils using locally adapted cultural, biological and mechanical methods as opposed to reliance on inputs.
• To maintain and encourage agricultural and natural biodiversity on the farm and surrounds through the use of sustainable production systems and the protection of plant and wildlife habitats.
• To maintain and conserve genetic diversity through attention to on-farm management of genetic resources.
• To promote the responsible use and conservation of water and all life therein.
• To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in production and processing systems and avoid pollution and waste.
• To foster local and regional production and distribution.
• To create a harmonious balance between crop production and animal husbandry.
• To provide living conditions that allow animals to express the basic aspects of their innate behaviour
• To utilise biodegradable, recyclable and recycled packaging materials.
• To provide everyone involved in organic farming and processing with a quality of life that satisfies their basic needs, within a safe, secure and healthy working environment.
• To support the establishment of an entire production, processing and distribution chain which is both socially just and ecologically responsible.
• To recognise the importance of, and protect and learn from, indigenous knowledge and traditional farming systems.

Visit our Why Organic? pages for more details about the health, animal welfare and environmental benefits of organic milk and dairy products.