Organic farming is a certified method of food production governed by strict European rules: no synthetic pesticides, no artificial fertilisers and no genetic modification, plus stricter requirements for soil and animal welfare. Below, you can read about how this form of farming works, which rules apply and how inspections are carried out from the field right through to the packaged end product. If you’re particularly interested in why people choose organic, read about the benefits of eating organic food. This article focuses on the farming itself.
What is organic farming?
Organic farming is an agricultural method that relies on natural processes rather than synthetic additives. Farmers keep the soil fertile using methods such as farmyard manure, green manure and crop rotation, and do not use artificial fertilisers or synthetic chemical pesticides.
Whereas conventional farming focuses heavily on high yields at low cost, the organic method emphasises the way crops are grown. Crops are given time to grow, and the soil is nurtured for the long term rather than fertilised for short-term gain. The word ‘organic’ is a protected term in the European Union. A product may only carry the label if it complies with the legal requirements and has been inspected.
What rules apply to organic farming?
The rules for organic production in the EU are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/848, which has been in force since 2022. This regulation specifies both what is not permitted and what a farmer must do to remain certified.
The key principles:
- No artificial fertilisers. Soil fertility is maintained using farmyard manure, compost, green manure and crop rotation.
- No synthetic chemical pesticides. Only products from an approved list are permitted, most of which are of natural origin.
- No genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
- No synthetic flavourings, colourings, flavour enhancers or preservatives in processing. The number of permitted additives is strictly limited.
- Land usually needs a conversion period of two to three years before it can be certified as organic.
- As little processing as possible, so that the product remains close to its original form.
We’ve listed the products you should preferably buy organically in a separate article: 5 foods you should always buy organically.
How are animals reared in organic livestock farming?
In organic livestock farming, animals are given more space to move around and access to the outdoors, and they are fed organic feed. Preventive antibiotics, growth promoters and genetically modified feed are not permitted.
The regulations set requirements for, amongst other things, housing space, access to pasture and the origin of the feed. Animals are reared in a way that is in keeping with their natural behaviour, and interventions are kept to a minimum wherever possible. Medication is not completely banned, as a sick animal must still be treated when necessary, but routine preventive use is not permitted.
What do the rules mean for the soil and the environment?
The organic regulations set out specific requirements for soil management: artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides are prohibited, and soil fertility is maintained through crop rotation, green manure and organic manure. These are binding requirements, not merely good intentions.
This approach is partly aimed at keeping the soil healthy and allowing space for biodiversity on and around the land. Whether an individual end product is also ‘better for the environment’ depends on more than just the cultivation method. The rules themselves are, however, clearly defined and verifiable.
What is SKAL and what does the EKO quality mark stand for?
SKAL Biocontrole is the independent organisation that oversees the organic supply chain in the Netherlands. Companies that produce or process organic products must register with SKAL and undergo inspections. Only then are they permitted to label their products as organic.
You can recognise certified products by three marks: the leaf with stars (the mandatory EU logo for organic), the word ‘organic’ on the label, and, in the Netherlands, often the EKO quality mark. These marks indicate that the product and the production process comply with European regulations and that this has been verified by an inspection body.
How is the supply chain inspected right through to the end product?
With organic certification, it is not just the farm that is inspected, but the entire supply chain: cultivation, processing, packaging and record-keeping. Every link in the chain must demonstrably operate organically, so that an organic product remains genuinely organic right through to the packaging.
For example, our organic whey comes from grass-fed organic cows that graze freely as soon as the weather permits. Because they are reared organically, they are fed organic feed – not genetically modified feed – and the use of medication is kept to a minimum. The entire process, from the cow to the packaged powder, is subject to scrutiny, and the whey and casein we use are certified organic. This means we know, from start to finish, where our ingredients come from and what happens to them.
Frequently asked questions about organic farming
Is ‘organic’ the same as ‘natural’?
No. ‘Natural’ is not a protected term and says little about how the produce is grown. ‘Organic’ is legally defined and monitored: only products that comply with EU regulations and are certified may be called organic. At Ekopura, we define ‘natural’ as pure and unprocessed as possible, with a short list of ingredients and no unnecessary additives.
Are organic farmers really not allowed to use any pesticides at all?
Synthetic chemical pesticides are banned. However, there is a limited list of permitted substances, mostly of natural origin, which a farmer may use under certain conditions to combat diseases and pests.
What do the EU leaf symbol, SKAL and the EKO quality mark mean?
The leaf is the mandatory European logo for organic products. SKAL is the Dutch inspection body responsible for monitoring compliance. The EKO quality mark is an additional Dutch mark that you often see on organic products. All three indicate certified organic production.
Is organic farming better for the environment?
Organic regulations prohibit artificial fertilisers and synthetic pesticides and set requirements for soil management and biodiversity. These are specific, verifiable regulations. Whether an individual product is ‘better for the environment’ depends on more than just the cultivation method, such as transport and processing.
Would you like to choose certified organic ingredients yourself? Part of our range is certified organic, including organic whey (unflavoured), organic casein, organic vitamin C and organic Vegan Protein. The whey and casein come from grass-fed cows, and the entire supply chain – from farm to packaged product – is monitored. You can read more about how we make it in our article on organic protein powder.
