Organic food production is about producing food in a long-term and sustainable way. In simple terms, it means using natural resources such as land, energy and water in a way that has the least possible impact on the environment. Organic production should also support biodiversity and safeguard animal welfare.
Organic farming means not using artificial fertilizers or chemical pesticides. The use of genetically modified organisms or irradiation is also prohibited. Furthermore, animal feed must be organic and mostly grown on the farm. It is also important to allow animals to be outdoors and to exercise their natural behaviors. Medicines for animals, such as antibiotics, should be used with great care.
Organic production helps to reduce the spread of chemical pesticides in nature, which is important for keeping lakes and rivers healthy. It also provides food free of pesticide and/or drug residues. Organic farming also does not require extensive imports of artificial fertilizers, which in themselves require a large amount of fossil energy to produce.
Organic food production is also important for preserving biodiversity. On and around an organic farm there are many more species of plants, bees and other pollinators. The transition to organic will be particularly important for future generations.
The disadvantages of organic production are that it is less time efficient. Organic farming often results in lower yields because no chemicals are used to control weeds and plant diseases. The strict rules surrounding organic production generally mean that organic produces less food, which makes production more expensive, as do prices in the supermarket. According to the Swedish Board of Agriculture, in the short term Sweden would not be able to produce as much as it does today if only organic farming were available.
Increased demand for organic food, sustainability and transparency throughout the value chain are driving developments in both organic and non-organic production. Consumers’ expectations of producers to respect the environment and human and animal health are expected to grow stronger.
In the EU, a food with an organic label must contain at least 95% organic ingredients and comply with the EU’s organic production rules. They are marked with the eco-leaf!
References:
Swedish Board of Agriculture
National Food Agency
The struggle to breastfeed, the shock of tiredness, and the revenge with the second child. “If by sharing my journey and my choices, I can perhaps empower or help others who are currently in a similar situation, then I am happy.”
The father’s quota in the parental insurance scheme seems to have a significant impact on whether fathers take parental leave from work. Examples from the Nordic countries.
WHO rekommenderar uteslutande amning under de första 6 månaderna. UNNA stödjer detta till fullo liksom fortsatt amning tillsammans med introduktion av en varierad kost enligt råd från barnhälsovården.
The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. UNNA fully supports this as well as continued breastfeeding along with the introduction of a varied diet as advised by child health services.
