Modern agro-industrial practices have made it possible to increase the productivity of agricultural land dramatically. They are based, among other things, on a large supply of synthetic “external inputs” (mineral fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, antibiotics, etc.). But we are gradually seeing that these practices are contributing just as dramatically to the pollution of water, air and soil. They are also believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the deterioration of the ozone layer, soil erosion and desertification, whether in developed or developing countries. The officials of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) do not fail to stress that this environmental deterioration places a heavy burden on the health of generations to come.¹. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)² she too paints a rather gloomy picture of the situation.

According to the FAO², it is now essential to adopt an approach to agricultural production based on ecosystems. This approach, for which organic farming is claimed, takes into account economic, social and ecological factors as a whole. This would be the only way to prevent an accelerated degradation of the environment.

Organic farming is not the only answer to the problems caused by modern industrial farming. But it is certainly part of the answer. It makes it possible to reduce the use of fossil fuels and, by the same token, the emission of greenhouse gases. In developing countries, it can even increase yields when compared to traditional crops. Environmentally friendly practices as recommended in organic farming greatly enrich the soil. Indeed, depleted land regenerates and becomes fertile again.

In Europe, soils under organic management have 30% to 40% more biomass and 30% to 100% more microbial activity than those cultivated conventionally. Soils rich in biomass suffer much less erosion and better retain moisture and nutrients essential for plant growth^3,4.

Today, even if the majority of experts agree that organic farming would be beneficial for the environment, it is also criticized for being too unproductive and thus threatening world food security.

In this regard, the results of a vast comparative study carried out in Switzerland over a period of 21 years indeed indicate that organic farming practices result in a yield approximately 20% lower than that of conventional farming. On the other hand, they reduce the use of fertilizers and energy expenditure by 34% to 53%, in addition to allowing a 97% reduction in pesticide application.⁵. The advantages are undeniable when it comes to reducing pollution and preserving the environment.

The authors of the study conclude that, from a sustainable development point of view, the performance of organic farming is clearly superior to that of conventional farming.

In Quebec, the report of the Commission on the future of Quebec agriculture and agri-food⁴, tabled in 2008, recommended that the Quebec government take measures to promote the development of agriculture that is more respectful of the environment. In particular, the report suggests promoting approaches such as organic farming. In 2009, the Saint-Pierre report⁵, also commissioned by the Government of Quebec, proposed to make the financial assistance granted to farmers conditional on the adoption of more ecological farming practices. The Quebec government has announced that measures in this direction will be put in place in 2010 to reach their peak around 2015.