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