Are SoilFixer products organic?

Are SoilFixer products organic?

The answer is yes.

But for those conversant with the organic movement lingo and legislation, we need to explain the difference between an organic product and inputs for use in an organic growing system.

Recently our friends at Garden Organic blogged about the new EU legislation covering organic production and labelling (EU 2018/848). We thought it timely to give an overview of how the legislation affects SoilFixer.

Can we label SoilFixer products as “organic”

No – this is because the legislation defines an organic product as the output from an “organic production system” (think farm, grower) destined for human consumption (for example, in the photo, labelling apples are organic).

The relevant question for SoilFixer customers is:

Can SoilFixer products be used in an organic growing system?

Yes - 100%! Our products come under the definition of an “external input”. For an "external input" to be used in an organic growing it must be “natural or derived from a natural substance" (see Article 5, para (g), (ii and iii)). Biochar, our compost humification agent and SF60 are all derived from natural materials – i.e. wood and green waste composting systems. 

Note: the organic grower has to demonstrate that any external input is necessary and conforms to the overall principles of organic growing.

The core principles of organic growing  (Article 6, para (a))

• Maintain or enhance soil life
• Maintain or enhance natural soil fertility
• Enhance soil stability
• Help with water retention
• Enhance or maintain soil biology
• Prevent the loss of soil organic matter (SOM)
• Prevent soil compaction
• Prevent soil erosion
• Provide nutrients through the natural soil ecosystem

A quick look at the biochar, compost activator and SF60 product information will confirm that our products supports ALL the core principles.

They also qualify under Article 6 para (c): “inputs from recycling waste plant and animal system”.

Are SoilFixer products accredited for Organic growing, eg via the Soil Association?

No, not at this stage. The accreditation schemes seek to audit that your production system meets the organic definitions and you follow the rules.

To date, most customers have been happy to use the product specification and details of production as evidence. EU2018/848 seeks to enhance the evidence within the whole organic supply chain.

We will monitor the situation as it may become easier to prove this via a badge.