BAN ORGANIC FOOD!

What if we banned the sale of Organic Food? What!?! Are you mad? It’s a question I posed to Chat GBT recently and here is what I got in 100 words…
 
Banning the sale of organic food would significantly affect farmers, consumers, retailers and the environment. Organic farmers could lose their market and either switch to conventional farming or leave agriculture. Supermarkets and restaurants would no longer be able to sell certified organic products, reducing consumer choice. Prices might fall for some foods due to increased conventional production, although short-term shortages could cause disruption. Environmental effects could include reduced use of farming practices that limit synthetic pesticides and fertilisers and support biodiversity. Consumers might seek alternatives, potentially creating new labels or informal markets. Overall, the policy would have major economic, environmental and social consequences.
 
I have highlighted the informal markets bit because this is an important point that we underestimate. Predictions, assumptions and reliance on the truth of AI aside we cannot underestimate what humans will do when they are challenged with adversity. Take the proposed raw milk ban for instance 15 years ago. This spawned the movement of Raw Milk Ireland and a consequence of revisiting the value of what we were loosing as a nourishing food. It seems a bit idiotic now to be honest looking back. In the light of all the toxic “foodstuffs” readily available to us now it feels quite ironic that the plan was put in place and it was believed to be workable. Perhaps the powers that be thought it would work? Perhaps they thought people would just accept it. They obviously didn’t. Perhaps we do need an old shake up now and again. It is easy for us to become complacent when we feel there is abundance and ease of access. When there is want and restriction our desire and interest peaks. For what it is worth I am not advocating for a ban. But from past experience it might just be a strategic marketing ploy that could work in its favour long term! 

Anne Maher