1. Top for taste
In a recent poll (August 2005) conducted by the Soil Association, 72% said fruit and vegetables tasted better than non organic and 71% said they'd preferred the taste of organic meat.

2. It's healthy
On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants. Organic milk is on average 50% higher in Vitamin E, 75% higher in beta carotene (which our bodies convert to Vitamin A) and two to three times higher in the antioxidants as well as being higher in levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids.

3. No nasty additives
Only 32 of the 290 food additives approved for use across the EU are permitted in organic food. Organic food doesn't contain food additives which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporisis, migraines and hyperactivity. Amongst the additives banned by the Soil Association are hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener) and monosodium glutamate.

4. Avoids pesticides
The best way of reducing your exposure to potentially harmful pesticides is to eat organically grown food, where their use is avoided. Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. 40% of all non-organic fruit, vegetables and bread tested in 2004 contained pesticides according to the Government's Pesticide Residues Committee. The results for particular fruit and vegetables were much worse eg over 70% of the samples of soft citrus fruits, apples, speciality beans, pears and strawberries contained pesticides.

5. GM-free
Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards.

6. Reliance on drugs removed
There is growing concern about the high use of antibiotics on farm animals and the possible effects on human health. Soil Association standards prohibit the routine use of antibiotics.

7. No hidden costs
Compare this with the €80m that tax payers fork out to pay for chemicals to be removed from drinking water, mainly as a result of the pesticides used in farming.

8. High standards
Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year. The standards for organic food are laid down in European law.

9. Care for animals
Animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards. The benefits of the organic approach are acknowledged by animal welfare organisations such as Compassion in World Farming as well as the Irish government.

10. Good for wildlife and the environment
The Irish government has said that it is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas - and less dangerous wastes.