Researchhas found that while environment doesnt necessarily benefit, such foodstuffsare more profitable for poor farmers and can produce food with a higher nutritional value

ORGANIC food may be no better for the environment or consumers than standard fruit and veg, a study suggests.

The pricey produce is often thought of as better for the planet.

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But a study has found the environment doesnt necessarily benefit because of how many more resources it takes to produce the same amount as non-organic fare.

Researchers analysed organic crop farming across 17 criteria such as yield, impact on climate change, farmer livelihood and consumer health.

They found it typically has a positive influence on local biodiversity, is more profitable for poor farmers and can produce food with a higher nutritional value.

But it often produces yields that 19 to 25 per cent lower and leads to higher consumer prices.

This means some of the environmental benefits may be lost once the yield differences are taken into account.

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A pack of six small bananas in one supermarket cost 90p but their organic equivalent are 1.39. A 400g bloomer loaf costs 70p or 80p for organic.

Researcher Verena Seufert, from University of British Columbia, in Canada, said: Organic is often proposed a Holy Grail solution to current environmental and food scarcity problems.

While an organic farm may be better for things like biodiversity, farmers will need more land to grow the same amount of food.

And land conversion for agriculture is the leading contributor to habitat loss and climate change.

We need to stop thinking of organic and conventional agriculture as two ends of the spectrum.

Instead, consumers should demand better practices for both so that we can achieve the worlds food needs in a sustainable way.

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Her colleague, Professor Navin Ramankutty, said the health benefits are marginal in countries with strict pesticide regulations, such as the UK.

The only entirely unequivocal benefit of organic foods is reduced contamination from pesticide residues although this might not matter for consumers in high-income countries, where pesticide contamination on conventionally grown food is far below acceptable daily intake thresholds.

In a developing country, where pesticide use is not carefully regulated and people are micronutrient deficient, we think that the benefits for consumer and farm worker health may be much higher.

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Organic farming covers approximately 1 per cent of agricultural land and is the fastest growing food sector in North America and Europe.

The findings are published in the journal Science Advances.

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Organic produce may be no greener than standard fruit and veg, says study - The Sun