This book covers the principles of organic farming and the scientific base for them, making it clear that organic farming aims to rely primarily on biological processes and understanding of ecological interactions in preference to the use of chemical controls, organic or otherwise.
In the second part of the book Nicolas Lampkin examines how organic farming works in practice, with particular attention to the market for organically produced food and the financial returns which organic producers can obtain. In the final chapter, the evidence on food quality and the environmental impact of organic farming is reviewed, along with such issues as organic farming in developing countries and agricultural policy developments.
This printing includes the Soil Association Standards for Organic Food and Farming as revised in 2002.