ORGANIC MILK
The organic standard for farming is the highest standard in UK farming. Certified farms must maintain high animal welfare, use only natural substances, and have as little environmental impact as possible. It is an ‘agroecological’ farming systems that works with nature and is leading the way on sustainability.
Carbon Storage
Soils store more carbon than plants, trees and the atmosphere combined - one of the most important tools to mitigate against climate change! Organic farming creates healthy, living soils that stores (or ‘sequesters’) more carbon - 3.5 tonnes extra per hectares than non-organic farms. The cycling of using compost, manure and rotating crops means organic soils are around 25% more effective at storing carbon in the long-term too.
The soils can also store twice as much water, making the farm more resilient to the effects of climate change by helping protect against flooding and performing better during drought.
Less Imported Animal Feed
The diet of organic animals must be primarily sourced from the same farm (grass-rich) or from other regional farms. This vast reduction in livestock food miles lowers their carbon footprint away from imported GM-feeds.
Supports British Wildlife
Wildlife species in the UK have declined by 41% since 1970 due to conventional farming methods but through consciously managed habitats in organic farms, one average, wildlife is 50% more abundant and there are 67% more wild bees.
From Turf to Surf
Conventional farming uses nitrogen fertilisers that create ‘ocean dead zones’ which deprive these ecosystems of oxygen, killing fish and other aquatic life. Organic standards ban the use of these, supporting cleaner water for wildlife.
ANIMAL WELFARE
& ANTIBIOTIC USE
Organic cows are truly free range and must have as much time outside as possible. These conditions not only help to reduce stress they reduce the need for preventative antibiotic use, minimising the risk of antimicrobial resistance and protect the effectiveness of these treatments for animal and human use.