ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Organic production is governed by four ethical principles that guide and dictate action at every stage of production, processing, distribution and marketing.
ECOLOGY
The principle of ecology teaches that in organic production, when working with systems and with living ecological cycles, the processes are more important than the external inputs, which are specific to place, scale, ecological and cultural traditions. The organic farmer should mimic these systems, help support them, work with them without trying to dominate them and overall protect them. In the daily practices at Kraus, this principle drives the design of production systems that coexist within the natural wildlife habitat. This system is composed of hostel animal diversity, natural vegetation, and genetic diversity. In terms of genetic diversity, this occurs at Kraus when Yerba crops are introduced to cassava and/or corn crops in order to reforest old plantations with native trees, allowing the natural recycling of nutrients in crops to maintain soil fertility and optimal conditions for biological activity.
HEALTH
The health principle states that the health of individuals and communities is linked to the health of ecosystems. In everyday practice, Kraus does not use chemical inputs and/or transgenic crops as fertilizers, herbicides and synthetic pesticides on crops. Because of such practices, Kraus achieves a healthy environment for producers and workers who work and live there. Also, Kraus does not use preservatives, additives, dyes or chemical origin I radiation in post-harvest handling—the result is the production of healthy products with high nutritional value that promote everyone’s health.
PRECAUTION
The precautionary principle highlights that new existing technologies and methods should be evaluated and reviewed to prevent health risks from the environment and people. For that reason, we must adopt appropriate technologies and reject unpredictable ones, such as genetic engineering. Science is necessary, but should never replace practical experience, accumulated wisdom, as well as local and traditional knowledge. These time-tested methods offer valid solutions, such as those developed by the brothers Angel and Juan Roman Kraus with all their experience in the various stages of tea and yerba production.
EQUITY
The principle of equity is characterized by equality, respect, fairness and responsible stewardship of our shared world—both between human beings and our relationships with other living beings.
It requires the development of systems of production, distribution and marketing in order to weigh the environmental and social costs and benefits. At Kraus, the principles of equity, ecology, health and precaution are all met through compliance with the governance of organic production and fair trade principles.
It requires the development of systems of production, distribution and marketing in order to weigh the environmental and social costs and benefits. At Kraus, the principles of equity, ecology, health and precaution are all met through compliance with the governance of organic production and fair trade principles.
