Soil Association

11:07am Wednesday 15th August 2007

As the UK's leading environmental charity promoting sustainable, organic farming and championing human health, the Soil Association challenges the orthodoxy of intensive agriculture and is transforming attitudes to food and farming.

In its 61st year, the Soil Association has grown into an internationally respected authority on sustainable agriculture and a recognised champion of healthy food, uniquely representing and offering practical solutions to everyone involved in the food chain - farmers, food processors, retailers and consumers.
As an educational charity, our main work is to improve the public's understanding about how different methods of food production impact on health and the environment. We also lobby policy makers; set organic standards; support and advise organic farmers, and nurture local food networks to bring consumers and producers together.

The Soil Association organic symbol is the UK's largest and most recognisable trademark for organic produce. Wherever you see it you can be sure that the food you have purchased has been organically produced and processed to strict animal welfare and environmental standards, avoiding the routine use of pesticides, antibiotics and other additives. The Soil Association has probably the highest and most comprehensive standards for organic production and processing in the world.

Soil Association standards not only meet the UK government's minimum requirements but in many areas are higher. This is particularly true with animal welfare (for example, pigs and poultry) and the use of pesticides. We can do this because we are an independent charity and are not motivated by profit - our goal is to promote the highest levels of organic integrity. We have also developed standards for areas not covered by government or EU regulations. These include conservation, fish farming, textiles and health and beauty products.

CONTACT DETAILS

For more information visit www.soilassociation.org

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