You may be purchasing organic beef and lamb for the associated health benefits, but what you might not be aware of is that you are also helping the environment.
Organic farming is more sustainable than other methods and produces less carbon, which means less carbon dioxide enters the air and contributes to global warming.
Currently, agriculture contributes a significant percentage of greenhouse gases, around 20 – 30 per cent, according to the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, when both direct and indirect contributions are considered.
Organic farming practices include management systems which creates strengthened agro-ecosystems and promotes the diversification of crop and livestock production.
These farms are less likely to rely on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides to promote growth and ward off pests, which means fewer fossil fuel emissions leaching into the atmosphere.
Farmers can learn how to prevent and address changes in the climate in a sustainable way to help the future environment and meat buyers can choose organic products to support them.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) actively promotes the use of organic agricultural methods.
These methods increase the performance of renewable resources and mean agro-ecosystems are making the most of nutrient and energy flow.
Organic methods can prevent the emission of nitrous oxides and methane, according to FAO, because the soil holds onto carbon, preventing it from entering the atmosphere.
These methods also have the royal tick of approval, with Prince Charles advocating organic farming as a way to preserve the environment.
He appeared as a guest editor for the magazine, Country Life, where he said he believes the best way forward is to combine the top traditional techniques already used in conjunction with new modern knowledge.
Prince Charles, himself, is an organic supporter. In 1986 his entire estate at Highgrove was converted to organic farming methods.
