Principles of The International Organic Community: IFOAM
The international organic community has been united under the name – International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) – since 1972.
IFOAM bases its activities around four fundamental principles that seek to guide both the development of production systems and regulatory frameworks within the producing countries that are held to the highest ethical standards.
These four fundamental principles are:
Principle of Health
Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible.
Principle of Ecology
Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.
Principle of Fairness
Organic agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.
Principle of Care
Organic agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.
IFOAM actively works to promote policy frameworks that focus on sustainable development, taking in consideration that the way we produce and consume food has a direct impact on global challenges including climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty and deteriorating health