(image courtesy of European Union)

Organic farming has more than doubled its share of European agriculture in less than a decade, according to a report from the Associated Press posted on the web site of the Houston Chronicle.

Consumer demand for foods produced without pesticides and chemical fertilizers continues to grow, and many Europeans are wary of genetically-modified foods and cloned animalsl. European Union ministers have now agreed to guidelines for determining which foods can be labeled organic. Under the new guidelines, the EU organic logo can now be added to food if at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.

Might the other 5% contain those elements we are trying to avoid by paying more for organic food?

To read the Associated Press article as it appeared on the web site of the Houston Chronicle go to: EU Organic Farming Doubles