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Definition of Organic
The National Organic Standards Board Definition of
"Organic"
The following definition of "organic" was passed by the
NOSB at its April 1995 meeting in Orlando, FL.
"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that
promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological
activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management
practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.”
‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority
of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic
production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological
balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system
into an ecological whole.
Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely
free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air,
soil and water.
Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that
maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal
of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent
communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."
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