As the nation is encouraged to ‘Wake up to Organic’ by the Organic Trade Board today Rhug Estate wants to use the event to highlight the difference organic farming can make to the crisis facing our climate.
‘Wake up to Organic’ is an annual event organised by the Organic Trade Board to encourage more people to try organic. Rhug Estate supports the event each year with free tasters in the Farm Shop to encourage visitors to try more organic products.
Wake up to Organic’s five reasons to try organic:
1. Better for nature: organic farming works with the environment as it uses fewer pesticides. It’s a way of farming that protects and encourages wildlife while looking after the health of the soil.
2. Better for the planet: organic farms use fewer pesticides and support up to 50% more wildlife.
3. Better for animal welfare: organic means free-range. Organic standards insist that animals are given plenty of space and fresh air to thrive and grow more naturally.
4. Know what’s in your food: when it comes to organic, you know exactly what’s in your food. GM crops and ingredients are banned in organic farming.
5. It’s tasty: organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil to grow a mixture of crops that are bursting with flavour – so foods taste great.
Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, said, “Finally, there is tangible momentum and energy on one of the most important issues of our time. Climate change is an emergency and the way we eat and farm lies right at the heart of it.”
“A recent study by French think tank IDDRI has shown that agroecological farming, such as organic, can make a major contribution towards keeping global warming below 2°C. Organic farming can sequester carbon in soils and trees and proves we can survive without the chemicals that destroy wildlife and our health, whilst giving our animals a good life without using endless antibiotics, and – crucially – that we can feed people well.
“A new report from IFOAM EU estimates that altogether, one-third of global GHG emissions could be linked to the farming and food industries – production, processing, distribution and consumption. This report argues that action from the agriculture sector is essential. It warns that: ‘without a clear political signal to reduce emissions by 2030, action, learning and investments in sustainable farming practices will simply be delayed.’
Lord Newborough continued, “Organic farming is part of the solution. The positive role of organic farming in tackling climate change and securing a sustainable food system is highlighted as part of the IFOAM EU report’s big-picture view. Evidence shows that organic farms generally emit fewer greenhouse gases, use less energy and store greater amounts of carbon in soils per hectare than non-organic farms. Indeed, the report’s authors estimate that conversion to 50% of EU land under organic farming by 2030 would equate to a 23% cut in agricultural GHG emissions through increased soil carbon sequestration and reduced application of manufactured nitrogen fertilisers.
“While not everyone agrees with the tactics of the recent climate change protests, their message is spot on, and well overdue. This is a wake up call, not just to governments, but to consumers. Inspired by this grass roots activism, we should be more confident that all of us can, in our own ways, make change happen. We must be bolder, braver and faster,” said Lord Newborough.
Rhug Estate Farm Shop will be offering visitors free organic samples from 9am until 11am today, Wednesday, 12 June 2019, to celebrate ‘Wake up to Organic’. Why not ‘Wake up to Organic’ with the taste of Rhug organic coffee or one of Rhug’s organic teas. If you would like to order Rhug Organic meat you can do so at the Butcher’s Counter in the Farm Shop, in Borough Market in London and online.
Organic Beef