Organic offers so much

I was appalled at the recent RTÉ Prime Time debate about organic growing which was clearly done with an intent to polarise the issue of organic food versus conventionally produced food.

This sort of trouble-stirring journalism is dangerous to our economy. It would be far better to concentrate on how Ireland is producing nutritionally well-balanced food through good soil, crop and animal husbandry in both organic and conventional sectors of agriculture and horticulture.

They had a so-called expert on hand who claimed that, although not conclusive, scientific studies to date showed no appreciable difference in taste or nutritional value and he also claimed incorrectly that organic growers in general were saying that organic was ‘better’ than conventionally produced food. On the organic side of the table, Grace Maher of Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) and food author Darina Allen were quick to point out that the issue was really about consumer choice regarding food quality, health and perception of value for money, whether organic or not.