英文速読　中級-11

　People today are worried about food safety. As a result, the popularity of “organic” farming of fruits and vegetables is increasing. But what exactly does organic farming mean？
　It is probably easier to explain what organic farming is not. Organic farming does not use “pesticide or fertilizer”. Instead, this style of farming uses natural methods to protect plants and help them grow. So, organic agricultural products are thought to be generally safer than non-organic ones.
　 In the United States, about two percent of all food is grown using organic methods. The U.S. government officially licenses farms as “organic” if they pass an examination. Presently, there are about 10,000 licensed farmers in the U.S., and this number is growing by about 20% a year.
　In addition to food safety, another reason for the popularity of organic fruits and vegetables is that they taste better. This is why many restaurants only buy organic products.
　A lot of people think organic farming is not competitive compared to other methods because it cannot grow the same quantity of food. However, new research has shown that organic farming only grows, on average, about five percent less than non-organic method. Still, organic food today is more expensive than non-organic food. But when the environmental and health costs of non-organic farming are considered, such as the pollution of water by pesticides, most people would agree that the higher price of organic farming is in fact a small price to pay for our health and safety.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　248words
　
　英語長文は、前置詞・接続詞・関係詞などの前、長い主語の終わりなどにスラッシュを入れて、英文を短く区切って、頭から語順の通りに読み進めます。簡単な英文は日本語に置き換えず英語のまま理解します。

　People today are worried /about food safety. As a result, the popularity of “organic” farming of fruits and vegetables /is increasing. But what exactly does organic farming mean?

　人々は今日心配している、食の安全について。結果として、「有機栽培の」農業の人気は、果物や野菜の、高まっている。しかし、有機農業は正確には何を意味するのか？

　It is probably easier /to explain what organic farming is not. Organic farming does not use “pesticide or fertilizer”. Instead, this style of farming uses natural methods /to protect plants and help them grow. So, organic agricultural products are thought /to be generally safer /than non-organic ones.

　それはおそらくより簡単だ、説明することは、何が有機農業ではないかを。有機農業は農薬や化学肥料を使わない。代わりに、この形式の農業は自然な方法を使う、植物を保護し、成長を助けるために。だから、有機農業の生産物は考えられている、一般的により安全であると、有機栽培でないものより。

　 In the United States, about two percent of all food is grown /using organic methods. The U.S. government officially licenses farms as “organic” if they pass an examination. Presently, there are about 10,000 licensed farmers /in the U.S., and this number is growing /by about 20% a year.

　合衆国では、すべての食べ物のおよそ2パーセントが生産されている、有機農法を使用して。合衆国政府は公式に農場を認可する、「有機農場」として、農場が試験に合格すれば。現在では、認可されたおよそ10000人の農家がいる、合衆国に、そしてこの数は増加しつつある、年におよそ20パーセントずつ。

　In addition to food safety, another reason for the popularity of organic fruits and vegetables is that they taste better. This is why many restaurants only buy organic products.

　食の安全に加えて、もう一つの理由は、有機栽培の果物や野菜の人気に対する、それらがより良い味がするという事だ。これが理由だ、多くのレストランが有機栽培の生産物のみを購入する。

　 A lot of people think /organic farming is not competitive /compared to other methods /because it cannot grow the same quantity of food. However, new research has shown /that organic farming only grows, on average, about five percent less /than non-organic method. Still, organic food today is more expensive /than non-organic food. But when the environmental and health costs of non-organic farming are considered, such as the pollution of water by pesticides, most people would agree /that the higher price of organic farming is in fact a small price /to pay for our health and safety.

　多くの人は考える、有機農業が競争力がないと、他の方法に比べて、同じ量の食物を育てることができないから。しかし。新たな研究は示している、有機農業は平均して約5パーセント少ないだけ栽培する、非有機農法より。それでも、今日の有機食品は高価だ、非有機食品より。しかし、非有機農業の環境や健康への犠牲を考慮すると、例えば農薬による水質汚染などのような、ほとんどの人は同意するだろう、有機農業のより高い価格は実際には安い価格だという事に、私たちの健康や安全のために支払うべき。