efita.org

by J Settembrino
Put simply, organic farming is an agricultural production system that provides the consumer, food fresh, tasty and authentic while respecting the life cycles of natural systems.

Principles

To do this, organic farming is based on a series of objectives and principles, as well as common practices designed to minimize human impact on the environment, while ensuring that the agricultural system operates in the most natural way possible. Environmentally friendly farming practices usually include:

• Crop rotation as a prerequisite for the efficient use of resources in situ

• Very strict limits on the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, antibiotics for livestock, food additives and processing aids, and other inputs

• Prohibition

• Resource in situ, such as manure for fertilizer or animal feed produced on the farm

• Selection of plants and animals resistant to diseases and adapted to local conditions

• Livestock breeding in open areas and open space and organic food

• Use of appropriate practices for raising various species of livestock

Supply chain Organic farming is also part of a long supply chain, which includes food processing, distribution and marketing and ultimately the consumer. Every link in this chain is designed to provide benefits to large areas, as detailed in other sections of this website, and which includes:

• Environmental Protection

• Animal welfare

• Consumer confidence

• Society and economy

So every time you buy a green apple in the supermarket, or choose a wine from organic vineyards in the menu of your favorite restaurant, you can be sure that these products have been manufactured according to strict rules based on respect the environment and animals.

Standards

In the EU, these rules are formulated in the Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. The detailed review of the current regulation resulted in two proposals of the European Commission in December 2005 that included a set of simplified rules and enhanced. On the one hand, related to the import of organic products and on the other, their production and labeling. The regulation of imports, the Council Regulation 1991/2006 amending Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs came into force in January 2007. The definition of organic production, its logo and labeling system is contained in the Council Regulation on organic production and labeling of organic products, which has been adopted by the Council of the European Union on June 28, 2007 and is expected Entry into force from January 1, 2009.

Logo and labeling

The EU Regulation on organic farming detailing how they should manage crops and livestock, and how to be prepared feed and fodder to be labeled as organic. Products bearing the logo of the EU organic farming must meet the requirements specified in EU legislation. The labeling of products from organic agriculture must be accompanied by the code of the inspection bodies to review and certify organic operators. This labeling system is designed to provide consumers in the EU Member States confidence about the provenance of the organic products they buy. The EU logo was created to raise awareness about organic products among consumers, as with other national logos on products traded within their own country. There is no requirement that products produced under the EU regulation on organic production bearing the logo, but it will be when the new regulation enters into force.

Facts

Statistics show that many EU consumers, to do their shopping or eating food in cafeterias and restaurants, look for products bearing the logos and labels. Studies estimate that the market for organic products is growing at a rate of 10-15% per year, and that the contribution of organic products to the total food market of the EU member states saw increases of 0.5% 4% between 1997 and 2006. Visit the consumer demand for more information.