The Vegan Organic Network is celebrating the success of its Stockfree Organic Standards, with four UK growers now carrying the certification alongside their Soil Association symbol.
Food grown using stockfree methods is being dubbed “Organic Plus” because of its high quality, its healthy profile and its contribution to greater sustainability through efficient land and water use. Stockfree growers are required to avoid not only artificial chemicals and fertilisers, but also animal manures and slaughterhouse by-products.
Iain Tolhurst of Tolhurst Organics in Berkshire supplies 400 boxes of stockfree organic produce a week to local customers, with a carbon footprint of just 8 tonnes a year, equivalent to that of an average household.
“Our customers are very keen to support our policies” says Iain “especially our not having to depend on livestock units to produce vegetables”.
The Network is now aiming to set up a demonstration site and education centre to encourage the increasing number of farmers, growers and gardeners interested in stockfree techniques.
For further information, see: www.veganorganic.net www.stockfreeorganic.net
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Founded in 1996, the Vegan-Organic Network is an ambitious charity with an international network of active supporters. It aims to research and promote vegan-organic (stockfree) methods of agriculture and horticulture so that clean, green, cruelty-free food becomes widely available.
It publishes a magazine “Growing Green International” and advice leaflets. There is also a free advice service for members of the public, home growers, smallholders and farmers. The Network organises farm walks, allotment and garden visits and volunteer placements on stockfree holdings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sally Ford – Press Officer
01584 872224
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22 April 2009 ref. S1011
