Monday, February 19, 2007

Organic farming 'no better for the environment,' Report Says

According to a British government report, organic farming may be no better for the environment than industrial farming, and, in some cases, may be worse.

The first comprehensive study of the environmental impact of food production found there was "insufficient evidence" to say organic produce has fewer ecological side-effects than other farming methods.

The 200-page document will reignite the debate surrounding Britain's £1.6bn organic food industry which experienced a 30 per cent growth in sales last year.

David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, drew a furious response from growers last month when he suggested organic food was a "lifestyle choice" with no conclusive evidence it was nutritionally superior.

Sir David King, the Government's chief scientist, also told The Independent he agreed that organic food was no safer than chemically-treated food.

Shh! Don't tell my husband this or I'll never get him to eat the bison. ;)