Organic certification a way forward for aquaponics

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