Discussion prompts:
Even though organic farming does not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides like conventional farming, it is still permitted to use non-organic agricultural ingredients found in the annexes of the EU legislation or have been tentatively authorised by an EU member state. On the other hand, permaculture relies only on natural fertilisers for crop yield based on a holistic energy efficiency system. The investment towards permaculture might be more expensive initially but more sustainable in the long run than the mass production offered by organic farming. You may use the references listed below to create a more educated discussion.
Issue stances:
- Follow organic farming
- Slowly adapt permaculture practices from conventional or organic farming
- Immediately adopt permaculture practices
Sources that can be used:
- de Tombeur, F., Sohy, V., Chenu, C., & Cornelis, J. T. (2018, April). Permaculture practices effect on soil fertility and organic matter distribution in aggregate-size classes. In EGU, European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2018 (p. np)
- European Commission (2023). Annex – C(2021)5149.
- European Commission (2023). Organic production and products.
- Fiebrig, I., Zikeli, S., Bach, S., & Gruber, S. (2020). Perspectives on permaculture for commercial farming: aspirations and realities. Organic Agriculture, 10, 379-394.