8347 Epub WORK

So-called OA1,3 has been sacralised in an uncritical way, both in the political and legislative sphere and in the media. It is imperative to rigorously evaluate its postulates and practices in the light of the best available science4, with an objective view. A good starting point to contribute to the debate is the European Union (EU) regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products (No. 8347/2007) of June 20071,4 which states, "organic production is a general system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, the application of high animal welfare standards and production in accordance with the preferences of certain consumers for products obtained from natural substances and processes"3,4. In this light definition, the ambitious enumeration of good intentions, ideals that in principle can be embraced by any citizen, is contrasted with an explicit declaration that the aim is not so much the production of foodstuffs necessary for our species as a whole, but "production in accordance with the preferences of certain consumers"3,4. It is clear from its advocates that organic food "arises as an ideological movement of reaction" to what they consider to be the excesses and problems resulting from the intensification and industrialization of agricultural production, the consequences of which are a litany of negative effects on health, the environment and society2,4.

8347 epub

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