Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about organic milk and dairy products. If you have any further questions, please email OMSCo on gill@omsco.co.uk
How big is the organic dairy industry in the UK?
The organic dairy industry in the UK is still relatively small. For example, organic yoghurt, which is the most developed segment of the organic dairy market, accounts for around six per cent of the ordinary yoghurt market share. However, the organic market is growing all the time. Many supermarkets have pledged to increase their organic sales and are supporting the 'Organic Targets Campaign' which is calling for 30% of UK agricultural land to be organic by the year 2010.
Is organic milk better for you?
We believe organic milk is healthier for you as it is naturally higher in omega 3 fatty acid (ALA) and reduces your exposure to pesticide residues.
All pesticides are tested and approved with advice provided by the government's Advisory Committee on Pesticides. Safety limits are set based on animal studies, although the extent to which these adequately protect humans (particularly vulnerable groups such as children) has been questioned.
Surprisingly, almost no research has been carried out on how the chemicals react when combined. This is known as the ‘cocktail effect’ - and it has been estimated that in the West, our bodies contain traces of at least 300-500 potentially harmful chemicals absorbed from our food and other environmental sources.
Dr Vyvyan Howard is a pathologist based at the Bioimaging Research Group Centre for Molecular Biosciences at the University of Ulster, in Coleraine. He specialises in toxicology and the cocktail effect of pesticides and food additives on the human body. He is a strong supporter of organics, in particular, organic milk.
He believes that we should be concerned about the increase in dangerous chemicals in our body since the WW2 when farming methods started to change and became more intensive.
“We have traces of 300-500 potentially harmful chemicals in our bodies which have only been around for the last 50 years and which we have ingested through our foods.”
“At present official safety limits are based on studies of agro-chemicals acting alone. There are no toxicological tests of chemical combinations, despite the fact that studies have suggested that their combined impact, or cocktail effect, can make their impact much more powerful. Eating organically grown food is an efficient way for people to avoid these chemicals.”
All milk contains Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which - based on research in mice - is believed to boost immune function and potentially reduce the growth of cancer tumours.
Are the cattle treated any differently on an organic farm?
High standards of animal welfare are essential to organic farming. In all cases, animals provided with comfortable, clean shelter and plenty of space, will be less stressed, more content and able to behave instinctively.
Organic animals are not fed and managed in ways that attempt to push them into production levels beyond their natural capacity. Organic farmers believe that the stress imposed on animals by unnatural and intensive regimes such as feeding high levels of inappropriate protein to stimulate rapid growth or milk production, intensive housing or the routine use of antibiotics and other drugs can all cause health problems.
How long established is organic dairy farming? Is it just a gimmick?
Believe it or not, organic farming has been in practice for thousands and thousands of years. It is only since the Second World War that farmers began using artificial pesticides, to rapidly increase food production.
Organic farmers are simply using traditional methods perfected over generations to produce food of a higher quality.
Questions
