Glossary

Bast fibres are located in the inner core of the stem of a plant. Traditionally separated by a process known as retting. They have a high tensile strength. Examples are jute, ramie, hemp, flax, rattan, soybean, banana, and nettle.

A Biodegradable substance is one which is broken down (or decomposed) by microorganisms and reduced to organic or inorganic molecules which can be further utilised by living systems.

A buffer zone is an area of agricultural land located between a certified organic production operation or portion of a production operation and an adjacent land area that is not maintained under organic management.