Organic Certification: A Way Forward for Aquaponics ?
Jimmie Hepburn Email: info@aquavisiononline.com Web: www.aquavisiononline.com Phone: 01463 871443 or 07855 392747
Organic Aquaculture Sir Albert Howard’s book, An Agricultural Testament: “The maintenance of the fertility of the soil is the first condition of any permanent system of agriculture.”
Why have a standard? Soil Association organic standard – first 1973 Soil Association Organic Aquaculture Standard – 1998
Organic Principles – where standards are continually evolving to reach these goals
Health - Soil, plant, animal, human Ecosystems Fairness Care – being responsible for welfare and impact
Soil Association’s current standards
Farming and growing Food and Drink – processing Packaging Health and Beauty products Text tiles Forestry Food for Life
Organic Aquaculture Why organic – Aquaculture - the farming of water SA standard – salmon and trout 1998, later bivalve
shellfish, shrimps, carp and Seaweed Development of a range of standards in Aquaculture: RSPCA, ASC, GLOBALG.A.P EU – Organic legal status EU – collaboration – SA taking a leading role International Federation of Organic Movements (IFOAM) – considering Aquaponics
Can Aquaponics Be Organic? Consumers relate to Organic
like no other standard Hurdle: and established tradition e.g. Aquaculture – what about Aquaponics? Aquaponics presents some significant challenges ….
Aquaponics – challenges in organic certification Welfare of fish – Recirculation Aquaculture? Factory
farmed? Source of nutrients and systems of root support – e.g. Containment (greenhouse standards), NFT, Clay media, DWC – soil biology Organic farming practices are centred on the basic principle of feeding the soil rather than the crop. Commercially viable – ‘before our time’ Fulfil organic principles Raising awareness on growing method, education and developing attitudes