IFOAM Organic Principles

The guiding worldwide principles for organic agriculture are defined by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) and are detailed below:

• To produce food of high nutritional quality in sufficient quantity.
• To interact in a constructive and life-enhancing way with natural systems and cycles.
• To encourage and enhance biological cycles within the farming system, involving micro organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals.
• To maintain and increase long-term fertility of soils.
• To promote the healthy use and proper care of water, water resources and all life therein.
• To help in the conservation of soil and water.
• To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organised agricultural systems.
• To work, as far as possible, within a closed system with regard to organic matter and nutrient elements.
• To work, as far as possible, with materials and substances that can be reused or recycled, either on the farm or elsewhere.
• To give all livestock conditions of life which allow them to perform basic aspects of their innate behaviour.
• To minimise all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural practice.
• To maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its surroundings, including the protection of plant and wildlife habitats.
• To allow everyone involved in organic production and processing a quality of life conforming to the UN Human Rights Charter, to cover their basic needs and obtain an adequate return and satisfaction from their work, including a safe working environment.
• To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the farming system.
• To produce non-food products out of renewable resources, which are fully biodegradable.
• To encourage organic farming associations to function along democratic lines and the principle of division of powers.
• To progress towards an entire organic production chain, which is both socially just and ecologically responsible