Environmental Management

There are a great number of possible benefits that result from managing the environment in a responsible way. Techniques employed in organic farming contribute to a better environment and wildlife benefits from environmental management and conservation policies. Certified organic farms  must work towards developing  productive and healthy  farms, achieved by applying comprehensive conservation attitudes and standards, as well as making corridors for wildlife habitats. Vegetation may not be cleared by burning, and neither can straw, stubble or cereal waste or stubble be burnt.

Organic farming contributes to the reduction of emissions of agricultural greenhouse gases (nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide,  and methane) and their annual estimated costs of more than £1 billion.  Organic farming helps work against climate change by developing the soil as a substantial carbon sink.

Agricultural-caused air contamination results from pesticide sprays and ammonia, thus organic farmers do not sue synthetic pesticides sprays. (It is worth bearing in mind that United Kingdom agriculture produces around 80% of our ammonia emissions, resulting in nutrient enrichment and soil acidification.) Manure from organic farms contains a lower  nitrogen concentration.

Pollution of water is a substantial problem caused by agriculture, with nitrates in groundwater often exceeding the drinking water standard, and agriculture is a  source of bacterial contamination. The total external costs of water contamination by agriculture are estimated to be £220 million per year.  Farming organically enables the reduction of these problems in a cost-effective way.

Improved water retention and drainage result from the higher levels of organic matter in the soil on organic farms, and thus run-off and flooding are reduced. Less loss of organic matter reduces soil erosion.