Organic matters

Our land and our products are both certified organic by the Soil Association, a charity that campaigns for healthy, humane and sustainable food, farming and land use. The Soil Association recognises that there is a direct connection between our health and the way in which the food we eat is produced.

Any product sold in the UK that claims to be organic must have organic certification. And that means adhering to rigorous farming, animal husbandry and product standards that are checked every year by the Soil Association.

Here’s a brief summary of standards and practices:

• No artificial fertilisers are permitted. Farmers must develop a healthy, fertile soil by rotating crops and adding organic matter to condition the soil
• Land must be rotated. By raising a diversity of crops and animals on the farm and rotating over several seasons, cycles of pests and diseases are minimised and soil fertility is supported
• Animal welfare is at the heart of the system and a truly free-range lifestyle is guaranteed for animals
• Cows must spend the majority of their lives outdoors & have appropriate bedding and adequate space when indoors during bad weather
• Cows diet must be 100% organic
• Calves can not be weaned before 3 months of age and provision must be made for the future of male calves
• No routine use of drugs, antibiotics and wormers is permitted
• All food labelled as organic must contain 95% of ingredients that come from organically produced plants and animals
• All food sold as organic comes under EU regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008. The food must have been produced to these regulations, and been inspected and certified by a registered certification body like Soil Association Certification
• No GM (genetically modified) crops or ingredients are permitted