Ecology and Farming No 4/2011

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ecology farming nr 4 // August 2011

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BothStandards, private Korea ommon Objectives and Requirements BioPark e.v Private andards and government regulations Germany Orgánicos’, Mexico ACT Standards, Thailand Gäa Private Standards, Germany andards andStandards. government regulations Farm Verified Organic Private Standards, USA Organic private Red Mexicana deBoth Tianguis y Mercados eorea admissible.

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CCOF Global Market Access Standard, USA Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic Naturland Standards, Germany www.ifoam.org/ogs NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, USA Production, Hungary www.ifoam.org/ogs Farm Verified Organic Private Standards, USA SA Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic CCPB Global Standard, Italy www.ifoam.org/ogs The Family of Standards contains NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, USA Production, Hungary USA Oceania Italian Organic Standard, Italy ame: August 11, 2011. all standards officially endorsed as CCPB Global Standard, Italy ame: The Family of Standards contains organic by the Organic Movement, USA August 11, 2011.

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Dynamic Produce, Australia all standards officially endorsed asbased on their equivalence with the The Family of Standards contains organic by the Organic Movement,Common Objectives and Requirements Latin America New Zealand Organic Export Regulation all standards officially endorsed as based on their equivalence with theof Organic Standards. Both private Australian Certifiedby Organic Standard, s 22.08.11 16:12 the Organic Movement, Latin America Argentina Organic nAustralia organic CommonRegulation Objectives and Requirementsstandards and government regulations 22.08.11 16:12 as based on their equivalence with the of Organic Standards. Both privateare admissible.

Costa Rica Organic Regulation 22.08.11 16:12 NASAA Organic Standard, Australia nt, Argentina Organic Regulation Common Objectives and Requirements standards and government regulations Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina he AsureQuality Standard, New Zealand of Organic Organic Standards.

Both private Costa Rica Organic Regulation are admissible. ts standards and government regulations Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand www.ifoam.org/ogs Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina and te are admissible.

Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina dns www.ifoam.org/ogs

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Table of Con tents

August 2011 // NR 4

Events 8 The Right2Know March Two weeks from New York to Washington DC by foot

Environment 16 Cows are not climate killers!

By Anita Idel

By Gila Kriegisch

South 34

Korea, September 2011

The Organic World Congress

Animal husbandry 20 Livestock Keepers’ Rights

By Jenifer Chang

A tool for countering the livestock revolution?

Company profile 31 Managing food production chains

By Ilse Köhler-Rollefson

power on modern farms

Tradin Organic Agriculture

The first in a sequence of portraits of organic organizations and

Horse 24

companies.

By Yvonne Kresinger

Soil compaction and other environmental effects

Apiculture 12 Prospects and challenges

By Klaus Strüber

Organic 40

animal husbandry

Organic & health eggspectations

39 High

By Peter Brul

Still needs a lot of scientific s­ upport

By Gerold Rahmann

of organic beekeeping

By Salvador Garibay, Peter Gänz, Rémy Vandame, Ulrich Broeker & Stefan Bogdanov

Production 44

follows tradional methods

Beekeping in Africa- traditional and organic approaches

country report 28 South Korea

Still small, but growing quickly

By Dong-Geun Choi

48 Japan The organic sector and aftermath of

By Haike Rieks

the earthquake

By Heinz Kuhlmann

And more....

Editorial 5 News 6 Column by Gunnar Rundgren 7 Calendar 51

introduction

Denise Godinho

Peter Brul

Focus on animal husbandry and the hidden threat of GMOs In this issue of Ecology & Farming we focus on

cerers’ apprentices in the financial world did

animal husbandry. In the international develop-

miracles which they did not understand them-

ment of certified organic farming, crop produc-

selves. This put bonuses in the pockets of

tion has always the main issue, because the

these would-be financial Harry Potters, who

demand for organic products in the western

claimed that their professional skills and the

countries was almost entirely for vegetable

tools they invented were bringing wealth to the

products. But, healthy, sustainable agricul-

world. But now their magic seems to bringing

ture is often based on the delicate balance

complete nations to the ground. One of the

between animal and vegetable production. In

most striking aspects of this episode is the

many cases this balance has been disturbed.

absolute lack of transparency in the system,

At the Organic World Congress in Korea, many

with the deadly packages being spread eve-

experts will exchange ideas on how to work on

rywhere. The parallels with GMOs are striking.

good organic agricultural practices to find the

Sorcerers’ apprentices from Monsanto and

right balance between economic and ecologi-

their colleagues (also too big to fall?) claim to

cal goals.

bring wealth to the world and the poor, but it is

You can find out more about the programme of

mostly their own pockets which are being filled.

the congress and IFOAM’s General Assembly in

Spreading GMO packages in a completely non-

this issue.

transparent way is clearly part of the strategy.

The aim seems to be to get GMOs into the

Many consider genetic manipulation to be the

fields and the food chain without giving people

biggest threat to a responsible and sustainable

any choice. The ecological disaster might prove

agriculture. The method itself, the (un)social

to be worse than the economic disaster caused

context and the way it is being pushed are all

by the financial whizz kids. Awareness is a

the subject of fierce discussions. The Right-

strong tool against these games. And this fits

2Know March starting on October 1 in the USA

perfectly with the main aim of organic farming:

is one in a series of events to put this issue in

awareness of the effects and consequences of

the public spotlight.

agricultural methods on nature and the environ-

The (western) world is shaking because sor-

ment, on people and on the planet.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

5

// Fifth European Organic Congress, Gödöllö, Hungary Stephen Turner This conference, featuring high level political speakers, gave the opportunity to discuss future policy options for the organic sector in the forthcoming CAP and for policy makers to praise the efforts of organic farmers and consumers in contributing to the continual growth of the organic sector over the past twenty years.

The 5th European Organic Congress was jointly organized by the Hungarian EU Presidency, IFOAM EU Group and the Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development. The Congress attracted over 300 participants and provided numerous opportunities to debate the future of food and farming within the European Union. The various panel discussions and workshops involved many high level political speakers as well as speakers from all areas of the scientific and the organic sectors.

The dedicated work of organic farmers in enhancing the resilience of the natural resource base was acknowledged by Dacian Cioloç, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development. He stressed that organic farmers are on average younger (only 36% of organic farmers are over 55, compared to 56% of conventional farmers) and have built trusting relationships with the European public. He spoke about how the CAP reforms would maintain and possibly reinforce measures to support the uptake of organic farming under the Second Pillar, in recognition of the sustainable character of organic farming. He underlined that the Commission will provide the necessary tools to support organic farming, but that political decision making has still a way to go on both EU and national level; he encouraged participants to be active in this political process.

In the concluding session, Christopher Stopes, President of the IFOAM EU Group, stressed that “To face future challenges, we clearly need to raise

awareness that changes in consumption patterns matter. But, we urgently need clear commitments from policy makers to encourage the growth and further development of truly sustainable food systems, with organic food and farming as a leading model. The CAP reform is an acid test for policy makers on how far they will commit themselves to making significant steps towards a farm policy that meets the climate, biodiversity and resource scarcity challenges.

I believe that a broad civil society movement will keep a sharp eye on the ongoing CAP negotiations, demanding that taxpayers’ money be spent for societal and environmental benefits” The IFOAM EU Group is the lead organization for the political representation and advocacy of the organic sector in the EU. It brings together more than 300 organizations, associations and enterprises from all EU-27, EFTA and candidate countries and is widely recognized for its organic competence. Contact via: communication@ifoam-eu.org

John Portelli

6

This is one of the findings of a recently published survey commissioned by the Dutch Association of Fair Trade Shops that was published recently. In 2009 consumers bought €3.7 billion of Fair

Trade products providing work for 2.8 million people. Some 11% of this total was spent on handicrafts etc., providing 1.3 million jobs. Most of the remainder was spent on products such as choco­ late and coffee, providing a further 1.5 million jobs.

John Portelli

News

// Fair trade accounts for nearly 3 million jobs in developing countries

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Gunnar Rundgren Management system

// The organic live­ stock market Livestock contributes significantly to the income of organic farmers. For example in 2008, German organic farmers sold products with a value of €1.2 billion, 46% of which was derived from livestock products.

461,000 tons of organic milk (1.6% of the market share) and 50,000 tons of organic beef (4.3%) were produced.

Organic eggs comprise 3.3% (425 million) of the total egg consumption in Germany. Organic sheep and goat meat account for the largest percentage of market share (8.8%) of animal husbandry products, but the total amount is relatively small, at 3,600 tons. At the other end of the scale organic pig and poultry meat have less than one percent of the market share.

Co lumn

The market is not a management system for the planet. Even the most convinced proponents of a free market realize that there are things that can’t be left to the market to sort out. Human rights, law and order, security, basic social security have, in almost all societies, been regulated by some other institution than the market, often by a state. Most of our social relations are within the context of family, kinship, communities, etc. and thus also are not regulated by markets. And even for those things that are, mostly, regulated by markets there are many government rules. Even in the market-oriented United States there are said to be 130,000 regulations for how economic agents may, or may not, behave. And the more central an issue is to our society, the more regulations there are. For example all countries have labour regulations. They are there because we realize that the workers are a weaker party in an alleged ‘free’ labour market: they need some kind of protection. There is no doubt, in my view, that some market regulations go too far, and that governments should refrain from micro-managing economic activity. A bigger threat, however, is when governments want markets to regulate things that are not at all suitable for market regulation.

Agriculture is a very complex activity. It provides us with our most essential need, food. Throughout history, food supply has always been subject to political intervention. The Romans tried to regulate prices, although they failed, like most other subsequent efforts; the record of government interventions in food markets is rather poor. Faced with the prospect of food shortages, we now see country after country making bilateral food deals. They no longer trust the global trading system to safeguard their food supplies. The fact that we have major famine, e.g. in the Horn of Africa, while lots of food is wasted in other parts of the world is also an indication that markets in food don’t work very well in safeguarding the survival of fellow human beings. Agriculture is also largely the foundation of society.

Human relations in the farming system shaped social structures over millennia. Even modern industrial societies have grown out of a context where agriculture played a pivotal role. The preservation of farming is not only about food production but also about culture, society and heritage.

Scientists now speak about the Anthropcene, the era in which planet Earth’s big systems, hydrological, biological, climatic and even geological, are mainly shaped by humans. Farming already occupies around forty percent of the planet’s terrestrial surface and with the urban and peri-urban areas, human activity covers perhaps sixty percent. We also know that Anita Idel

farming and land-use accounts for around one third of the greenhouse gas emissions, the second largest source after fossil fuels. This means that farming is the most significant human management system of the planet; that the future of humans on the planet largely rests upon how we manage the farmscape. And markets are not the right tool for managing the planet.

More of Gunnar’s writings can be found on his blog; gardenearth.blogspot.com/ ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

7

On October 1, 2011 Right2Know March will set out from the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Co-organizer Joseph Wilhelm from Rapunzel Naturkost in Germany will join other well-known activists, entrepreneurs and farmers in marching the 500 km to the White House in Washington D.C. where the march will end on October 16 with a big rally in Lafayette Park.

By Gila Kriegisch

The Right2Know March

TWO WEEKS FROM NEW YORK TO WASHINGTON DC BY FOOT 8

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

events

THERE IS INCREASING DOUBT IN PEOPLE’S MINDS ABOUT THE LOBBYISTS’ TALES OF THE SAFETY OF THIS TECHNOLOGY.

U

nder the banner ‘We have a

130,000 signatures were collected and

The background – the whole truth must

Right 2 Know – Label GMO ‘ the

presented to politicians. Numerous events

be told!

march is part of a campaign to

along the two routes (one from Lübeck in

One thing is for sure: to date genetic engi-

demand a consistent labelling system for

the North of Germany to Lake Constance

neering had done little in terms of meeting

genetically manipulated food products.

in the South, the other from Berlin to

its promise to solve the global food crisis!

In Europe, the USA or elsewhere, consu-

Brussels) activated many people and got

There is increasing doubt in people’s

mers have the right to know what they are

them committed to the campaign. The

minds about the lobbyists’ tales of the

eating!

United States is the obvious choice for a

safety of this technology. Instead there is

third awareness campaign as it is home to

a growing amount of scientific evidence

The march, which follows the tradition of

many of the world’s largest multinational

showing the dangers of patented mono-

the great American Freedom Marches,

biotech corporations. Since the German

cultures and the benefits of a diverse and

is a continuation of Rapunzel‘s ‘Genfrei

term is difficult to translate and, since the

natural agriculture that respects ecologi-

Gehen’ initiative that caused a great stir in

issue of GMOs in agriculture and food

cal cycles and keeps farmers independent

Germany in 2007 and 2009 by demanding

products has a different focus in the US,

from GM seeds.

labelling for genetically manipulated food

the initiative has been renamed the Right-

In Germany it is not yet necessary to label

products. During the marches a total of

2Know March.

products from animals that have been

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

9

mers’ attention on this high-risk technology. Most people in Germany are barely aware of the consequences of the global spread of GMOs. This is why Joseph Wilhelm is planning to start another awareness campaign in Germany. This will draw On the way to mandatory labelling of genetically manipulated foods

attention to the situation in countries such as the USA, Brazil and Argentina, where the expansion of GM-monocultures, especially maize and soybean, has already resulted in catastrophic consequences for people and nature, including the erosion of formerly fertile soils and a massive

fed with GMO feed. This means we may

American colleagues: who saw the value

unknowingly put GM-contaminated eggs,

of organizing a similar march in the USA,

milk, cheese or meat on our plates: since

as it is the world’s largest exporter of GM

We are responsible for our future

it is impossible for consumers to know

seeds. Although many European com-

The German and the international health

what they eating and to make a choice.

panies, such as BASF and Novartis-Syn-

food industries and organic farmers need

The organizers of the Right2Know March

genta, are involved in GM technologies,

to take a more proactive role in explai-

believe that people should have the right

it is American biotech corporations such

ning these effects to their customers and

for information about the food they are

as Pioneer that play the leading role and

consumers. More activities are needed to

eating: where it comes from and what

one company, Monsanto, is often used

wake consumers up and get them more

it contains – especially at a time when

as a synonym for the GM industry. It took

involved in resisting GMs. For the future

global product sourcing make it harder to

only a few months for the idea to become

of coming generations it is irresponsible

know these facts. We are campaigning for

reality. A multifaceted alliance of organic

to do nothing. Opinion polls show that

the logical step of enabling consumers in

companies, consumer rights associations,

there is a core of aware customers who

the US to make free and informed food

farmers, food manufacturers and organi-

do not want genetically manipulated food

choice by labelling all foods that contain

zations – with IFOAM President Katherine

products. Let us add to their voice! The

GMOs.

di Matteo at the helm – are currently

US has been the cradle of many positive

reduction of biodiversity.

organizing the march in order to demand

and many questionable developments

In the USA, already more than half the

a clear labelling for all food products.

that have spread from there around the

soybeans and maize cultivated are GM

Already more than 80% of packaged

world, often very quickly. The organizers

varieties. Supported by US politics, the

foods in the USA contain GM ingredients.

and participating organizations of the

US biotech industry continues to exert

But nobody knows which foods are affec-

Right2Know March think it is important

great pressure on countries in the EU,

ted and if their safety has been sufficiently

to create impetus for change by initiating

South America, and especially developing

tested. This has got consumer associ-

activities the US, where a mind shift in the

countries to expand GM crops. Given this

ations involved: they believe that every

agricultural industry is much needed.

situation it would make no sense to seek

American citizen should be able to decide

a GMO ban in the USA. The opposition

what food he or she buys and consumes.

movement is still young and is strategi-

16 stages along the East Coast and numerous events

cally focusing on demanding mandatory

Standing up together for clear food

The preparations for the march are still

labelling for GMOs in food products. This

­labelling

underway. Many organizations, influential

approach seems much more promising.

The Right2Know March wants to set a

personalities and well-known activists

standard that guarantees the origin of

have already committed themselves

80% of all packaged foods in the USA

products used in foodstuffs and thus pro-

to participating. At the same time, an

contain GMOs – but which ones?

vide true consumer protection. The further

increasing number of campaigners are

Early in 2011, at the Expo West in Ana-

goal is to achieve the great dream of

recognizing that the march will provide a

heim, Joseph Wilhelm was telling some

GMO-free nutrition for all people. In Ger-

key platform to introduce their ideas for

colleagues from the American organic

many awareness about the risks of GMOs

a GMO free agriculture into the public

industry about his ‘Genfrei Gehen ‘ ini-

is highly developed, with the organic

domain. Author and Right Livelihood

tiatives. This conversation set the ball

movement leading the way. But there is

Award Winner Mrs. Frances Moore

rolling. The idea immediately excited

still not enough activity to maintain consu-

Lappé will address the marchers, as will

10

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

events

Mr. Andrew Kimbrell from the Center of

The will for change requires courage and

people get together and stand up for a

Food Safety.

a joint commitment

cause that matters to them. Such occasi-

Leaving New York the marchers will pass

We don’t yet know how many marchers

ons give people a chance to find a com-

through and stop over in Jersey City,

will join in the entire march or how many

mon cause – even though they may have

Newark, New Brunswick, Princeton,

exhausted marchers will sink into their

diverse backgrounds. It allows people to

Philadelphia, Springfield and Baltimore.

sleeping bags in the evenings with blis-

exchange ideas and experiences about

Every day, the march will pass by organic

ters on their feet. What we do know is

the possibility of building a world worth

stores which support the campaign and

that there will be a very special atmosp-

living in, shaped by individuals and not by

will greet the participants. There will be

here. This is always the case when many

large corporations and lobbyists. Let us

numerous small events to recount the achievements of the ever-growing organic movement. In some cities there will be evening events organized by local support groups. Along the way, a mobile vegan kitchen will provide food for the marchers and a baggage service will transport their personal belongings. The march will end on October 16 (World Food Day) in Lafayette Park in Washington D.C., directly in front of the White House – creating clear publicity opportunities. The final rally will include appearances by Dr. Vandana Shiva, Percy and Louise Schmeiser and Joseph Wilhelm. Come and listen to these pioneers and visionaries who aim to

IN THE USA, ALREADY MORE THAN HALF THE SOYBEANS AND MAIZE CULTIVATED ARE GM VARIETIES.

remind the US government of this vision and make our voices heard by gathering signatures and giving powerful media appearances.

Come and join, support, or publicize the March and help create a better future!

Gila Kriegisch is team leader of Rapunzel’s marketing department and was involved in organizing Genfrei Gehen in 2007 and 2009. Together with Joseph Wilhelm (founder of Rapunzel) she will be in America for the Right2Know March.

Contact via: Gila.Kriegisch@rapunzel.de www.right2knowmarch.org

inspire citizens to stand up for their rights and demand labelling of all foods containing products.

For updates on the Right2Know March, the expected route and how to register, please visit www.genfrei-gehen.de or www.right2knowmarch.org

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

11

Beekeeping is one of the few food producing activities that can be done without (one’s own) land – perhaps that is why there is not yet much available statistical data on organic beekeeping. This article reviews that which is available - much of which was obtained at the First World Conference on Organic Beekeeping, held in Sunny Side Beach Bulgaria, in 2010.

By Salvador Garibay, Peter Gänz, Rémy Vandame, Ulrich Broeker & Stefan Bogdanov

Prospects and challenges of

ORGANIC BEEKEEPING Italy is the leader of organic beekeeping

tion are not covered by higher prices at

with dust released from corn seeds trea-

in the EU with more than 100,000 certified

such low levels of production, quite a few

ted with neonicotinoids.

organic hives (about eight percent of the

beekeepers are certified for idealistic rea-

Organic beekeeping in Bulgaria started

total). The government pays about 300

sons and to support the organic sector. A

in 1990. The Bulgarian government pays

Euro for each organic apiary. There is also

few dozen family enterprises also get their

€13 per organic hive and allows group

a special competition, the BioMiel Prize,

main income from beekeeping; they typi-

certification—two measures that have

for certified organic honey, held annually

cally maintain 400 to 1000 colonies, and

encouraged organic beekeeping. In 2009

in Sicily which gives prizes for the best

migrate around Germany, harvesting pol-

the volume of organic honey was about

national and international organic honeys,

len from dandelion, acacia, linden, chest-

1,700 tons, circa 15 percent of the coun-

with the aim of promoting consumption.

nut, heather or forest (fir) honey, which

try’s total honey production. Bulgaria has

About 15 percent of the honey production

fetches the highest market price.

effectively prohibited the introduction of

in Italy is organic.

France is renowned for its many varieties

GM crops to the country with a law that

Germany is one of the world’s major

of honey, including lavender, sunflower,

expressly bans them from being planted

importers of (organic) honey worldwide,

and forest. As France has quite a strong

within the flight range of bee colonies.

producing just 25 percent of the honey

professional beekeepers lobby, some

Since beekeeping is practised in all regi-

consumed in the country. As climatic con-

pesticides are banned from application in

ons of Bulgaria, this means that no area is

ditions in Central Europe do not allow for

conventional farming. These substances

suitable for GM crops.

regular and reliable honey yields, many

were suspected to be extremely harmful

In Portugal and Greece, two countries

beekeepers produce honey at a hobby

to insects, as was shown by several acci-

with a good potential for beekeeping,

level, supplying their family, friends, and

dents in Germany and Italy, when about

organic practices are in their infancy, with

colleagues. While the costs for certifica-

100,000 bee colonies died after contact

just 0.15 and 0.4 percent (respectively) of

12

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Apiculture

Beekeepers in ‘conversion’ need to use wax from an organically certified producer all beekeepers being organic. In Slovakia

terpretation of the EU legislation, a lack

and Poland organic beekeeping is also

of international standardized laboratories

just beginning, representing just 0.1 to 0.2

and inappropriate infrastructure are the

percent of total beekeeping. The sector is

main hurdles for getting EU accreditation.

held back in these two countries as pro-

Despite these obstacles, Turkey, some

duction costs are higher than in conven-

East African countries and countries of

tional beekeeping and because the natio-

the former Yugoslavia have undergone

nal regulations are overly complicated.

the time-consuming process of becoming

In Romania, the organic beekeeping sec-

approved for the ‘Third Country’ list for

tor is growing rapidly. The first organic

honey (which is entirely separate from the

beekeepers were certified in 2000. Since

EU-Third Country list for organic equiva-

then the number of organic beekeepers

lence). Despite this, most honey produc-

has been increasing continuously. At pre-

tion in these countries is sold domesti-

sent there are 84,700 organic bee hives,

cally as there is a strong market, and local

circa 7.7 percent of all the hives in the

have organic honey on their shelves.

honey prices are generally much higher

country.

EU legislation requires a series of health

price than most importers are willing pay.

and national residue monitoring proce-

Asia also has a large honey sector, par-

Exports to Europe

dures (e.g. HACCP Hazard Analysis and

ticularly China, which is the world’s big-

Northern and Central Europe are not self-

Critical Control Points) imported products

gest producer and exporter of honey,

reliant in honey (conventional or organic).

of food of animal origin, such as honey.

India, Thailand and Vietnam. The organic

With the constant growth in demand for

These apply to both organic and conven-

beekeeping sector is still in an early phase

organic food in general, there is a market

tional honey. The aim to maintain consu-

in these countries and organic exports

and value-added potential here. Germany

mer protection and to ensure that impor-

only amount to a few hundred metric

is one of the main importers of organic

ted products meet equivalent standards

tons. In the medium and long-term there

honey, with most imports coming from

for production in, and trade between, EU

will be a rising demand in the domestic

other EU countries and Latin America.

Member States.

markets, particularly in the growing mega-

Even the discount supermarket chains

Costs, a lack of qualified personal, misin-

cities, such as Shanghai or Mumbai.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

13

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

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Apiculture

Australia exports considerable quantities

such as maize, soybeans and canola

his annual honey production, as it had

of honey, but there are, however, no reli-

(rapeseed) that produce pollen or nectar

been contaminated with GM maize pol-

able figures for the organic share. New

harvested by bees is a far greater threat.

len. The court in Augsburg categorically

Zealand is famous for exporting beeswax

These crops are rapidly expanding, espe-

declared that GM pollen is prohibited in

of organic origin. While beeswax itself is

cially outside of Europe. Many of the GM

honey and the product is unsuitable for

not certified the EU regulation requires

croplands in the USA, Brazil, Argentina,

human consumption.

that a beekeeper in conversion needs to

India, Canada and China are also impor-

The January 2009 edition of the consumer

use wax sourced from an organically cer-

tant producers of honey.

watch magazine Öko-Test had a range of

tified producer.

Bees forage in a large radius from their

honeys tested and found extensive GM

Brazil has an annual production of 40,000

colonies and do not differentiate between

contamination: 11 out of 24 batches of

metric tons of honey, a large part of which

GM crops, conventional or organic ones.

honey were contaminated with GM pol-

is organic, making it the world’s largest

Beekeepers have no way of knowing

len, mainly those from South America. In

producer of organic honey. It has several

if their bees are feeding on GM pollen

the EU the legal threshold value of GM

large companies producing over 1,000

and nectar. When bees harvest from GM

ingredients is 0.9 per cent, above which

metric tons of organic honey each and

plants, the pollen of these plants is pre-

products must be labelled as genetically

many large-scale organic beekeepers,

sent in the honey. This is undermining

modified. Since honey only contains

each with several hundred hives. Argen-

the present mutually beneficial relation-

approximately 0.1 to 0.5 percent pollen,

tina is the world’s second largest produ-

ship between farmers and beekeepers.

labelling is not required. That’s why the

cer of conventional honey (1,130 metric

Consumer distrust of GM labelled pro-

organic sector insists that the maximum

tons in 2008 and 830 metric tons in 2009

ducts means that beekeepers (including

limit for GM contamination must be redu-

- extracted from 57,600 hives). The wide-

conventional ones), are falling victim to

ced to 0.1 per cent.

spread cultivation of GM soybeans threa-

GM crops. In Europe GM products must

tens Argentinean organic apiculture.

be labelled as such - and since GMOs are not allowed in organically certified

The threat from GM Crops

products, this will reduce the supply of

It is widely accepted that intensive agri-

available organic honey. Canada has a

culture, that uses pesticides and destroys

large amount of GM canola and, because

the wildflowers that provide food for

of this, its honey exports to Europe have

bees, is partly responsible for bee colony

dropped significantly. In 2008 a German

losses. But for organic beekeeping GMOs

conventional beekeeper had to destroy

Salvador Garibay works for the International Division of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Switzerland, focusing on organic projects in Latin America and Spain.

This article is the result from a preliminary survey among key players carried out for the First World Conference on Organic Beekeeping.

The Second World Conference on Organic Beekeeping will take place in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas Mexico from 19th to 25th of March 2012.

Table

Organic honey: key statistics for some European countries Source:

Country

Organic beekeepers (1)

Italy

9000 (13%)

Total number of organic colonies(2)

Colonies per organic beekeeper(3)

103,000 (8%)

11 (17) 300 (72)

Organic honey production as % of total 15

Spain

194 (0.8%)

57,600 (3%)

Germany

600 (0.7%)

25,000 (3%)

42 (10)

France

219 (0.3%)

42,500 (3%)

194 (16)

Bulgaria

150 (0.3%)

44,861 (6.5%)

300 (14)

15

Romania

620 (0.8%)

84,700 (7.7%)

136 (14)

13

Macedonia

15,000 (20%)

(1): % of all beekeepers (2): % of all colonies (3): colonies per conventional beekeeper

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

15

Balanced production

COWS ARE NOT CLIMATE KILLERS! In the public debate, it sounds pretty simple: cows are climate killers. Full stop!

It has even become common to compare cattle with cars.

The main problem with agriculture – and we even read about this in scientific publications – is the environmentally unfriendly cattle...

16

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Environment

By Anita Idel

C

ows burp methane into the

mal feed rather than food for people: 40

atmosphere day after day. They

percent of the world’s grain harvest is fed

occasionally fart too and they

to livestock, while one sixth of the world’s

are compared unfavourably with cars –

population goes hungry. This diversion of

because their emissions not only consist

soy, grain and maize to produce concen-

of carbon dioxide but also of methane,

trated feed is what makes it possible to

which is 25 times more harmful to the

have such enormously high numbers of

climate than CO2. The seemingly logical

animals: nearly 1.5 billion bovine (inclu-

conclusion that the media, farmers and

ding domestic buffalo), nearly 1 billion

scientists increasingly arrive at is to advise

pigs and around 15 billion poultry. More

farmers to keep pigs and chickens rather

than two-thirds of the protein-rich feed

than the methane-rich horned monsters

crops for livestock in the EU are impor-

and consumers to eat more chicken wings

ted: the damage to ecosystems and the

and pork cutlets instead of beef steak.

climate not only occur where the animals

Almost everything. Firstly, it raises a very

Sustainable grazing promotes root growth and carbon retention.

superficial and particularly generalized view of livestock. It does not distinguish

are kept, but affects South America in Ekkehard Külbs

What is wrong with this discussion?

particular, where much of the fodder is produced and rainforests are still being cut down, eventually to make way for arable land.

between different agricultural systems:

It is rather short sighted to limit the dis-

from eco-friendly and sustainable resource

cussion to the methane that comes from

When intensively fed, cows and ruminants

use and energy intensive industrial approa-

the rumen of cows and other ruminants

compete with humans for food. But this

ches. Secondly, the view is limited to just

Nitrous oxide (N2O), not methane, is the

is not the case when they left are to graze

one greenhouse gas – methane – and

largest agricultural threat to the climate.

using land that is not suitable for cultiva-

omits the much more important nitrous

75% of the total N2O emissions (and 90%

tion (or grass and clover from crop rota-

oxide, which is emitted through the nitro-

of all ammonia emissions -NH3) in Europe

tion). On the contrary, they turn grass, hay

gen fertilization used for the intensive pro-

are caused by livestock farming – especi-

and silage into milk, meat and draught

duction of concentrated feed. And thirdly,

ally through intensive fertilization for culti-

power.

an agricultural climate assessment should

vating concentrated feed.

include not only the negative effects

Methane is 25 times more harmful to the

And what of the climate? Provided that

(emissions) but also the positive ones: the

climate than CO2, but nitrous oxide, which

grazing is sustainably managed, cat-

storage of greenhouse gases is an intrinsic

is primarily released through nitrogen fer-

tle also help maintain the biodiversity of

potential of sustainable land use.

tilization, damages the atmosphere 296-

the countryside. They keep these gras-

fold. On average, 2-4% of nitrogen fertili-

slands, grazing lands and steppe lands,

But the positive climatic effects of sustai-

zer is converted into N2O. The authors of

which account for approximately 40%

nable grazing systems and particularly the

the recently published 600 page European

of the global land area, intact. Because

contribution that grazing ruminants can

Nitrogen Assessment (ENA) argue that the

of its vast scale, permanent grassland is

make to the production of carbon-rich

role of NH3 (an indirectly operating GHG)

the largest terrestrial carbon sink on the

topsoil is entirely ignored. As most people

needs to be taken much more seriously.

planet. The carbon is not only stored on

are unaware that cattle can contribute to

the surface in visible gramineous plants,

climate relief, my counter-thesis may be

The differences in the intensity of live­

but also (and primarily) in the soil. From

even more surprising: millions of cattle

stock breeding systems are most evident

a climatic and soil fertility viewpoint it is

have the potential to act as environmen-

in feeding: industrial livestock production

not only important to maintain a dense

talists. This becomes only apparent when

demands more concentrated feed and

and durable coverage of perennial gras-

the carbon and nitrogen cycles are taken

this requires intensive fertilization which

ses, which protect the soil from erosion.

into full consideration. The decisive factor

damages the climate. This further exa-

Sustainable grazing management promo-

is whether the soil and, in particular, per-

cerbates the global food situation, since

tes biological activity (photosynthesis) so

manent grasslands are used sustainably.

arable land is being used to cultivate ani-

that through root development the amount

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

17

of topsoil (which consists of more than 50

the grazed vegetation, which has been

percent carbon) ultimately increases.

supplied with animal excrement and urine, can regenerate. Given a minimum amount

Grasslands of the World

of water and the energy of the sun pho-

In 2005, the Food and Agricultural Orga-

tosynthesis makes new grass and addi-

nization (FAO) published an evaluation

tional root mass begins to form – as long

– almost 500 pages long - on the world’s

as the grazers don’t return too soon. An

grassland resources – Grasslands of

example of this process – including the

the World. Some of these grasslands

regeneration period – is exhibited through

- in (semi) arid regions – only possess

the largest animal migration on our planet,

greenery for part(s) of the year, after

which still takes place annually: the vast

a rainy season. The Grasslands Car-

herds of wildebeest that journey across

bon Working Group, a group of climate

Africa. What one can experience there on

experts, has examined the importance of grasslands for carbon sequestration. They periodically publish country-specific infor-

safari is a glimpse into natural history: like Migratory grazing allows grasslands to regenerate.

mation on the total of 52.5 million km²

other natural grasslands throughout the world these savannah grasslands were created through the co-evolution of gra-

grass ecosystems which cover more than

mineous plants and the grazing animals.

40% of the global land area (excluding

Many monocultures not only destroy

the grass-free ice masses of Greenland

ecosystems but also have a negative

The journeys of large herds of wisents

and the Antarctic). Of the surface area

energy balance (deducting the inputs

and aurochs have influenced the soils and

considered by the FAO to be agricultural,

above all energy consumption - from the

landscapes of Eurasia, but they were all

approximately 70% is grassland. Despite

output). This is true for both agro-fuels

killed off and have disappeared from the

this there is very little understanding of

and the inputs for high-performance

collective memory Europe’s inhabitants.

the special characteristics of grasslands,

animal feed. Sustainably-managed gras-

By contrast, some American citizens still

which vary between climate zones. As a

sland can produce more usable energy

remember the stories of their ancestors

consequence, the importance of these

per unit area than ethanol produced

about the vast herds of bison that could

grasslands is completely underestimated

from maize or soy. And the maintenance

be seen even 200 years ago. It is estima-

and they usually do not appear in debates

of such grasslands contributes to redu-

ted that there were over 30 million bison

over the future of our planet. This must

cing greenhouse gases and increasing

grazing the prairies of North America in

change.

soil fertility. Over several years of trials

the early 19th Century. Over the past 30

in the USA, the yield of grassland after

years a network of environmental pro-

The world’s grasslands contain more than

a decade was 238% more than the har-

tection projects has been reintroducing

a third of global carbon in their soils. In

vest from monocultures.

these grazers to re-establish the prairies

some steppe lands, more than 80% of

and there is a growing number of farmers

the biomass is believed to be in the roots.

Global landscape gardeners

commercially rearing bison.

However, because so little importance

Roots play the crucial role in the forma-

The metre-thick prairie soils in North

has so far been attached to grasslands,

tion of topsoil: the roots of today are the

America have lost, on average, more than

they are currently at huge risk. Ploughing

topsoil of tomorrow. While crops often

25% of their topsoil, largely as a result

and cultivating grassland results in a

only grow during a single growing sea-

of being used to grow monocultures of

considerable loss of carbon and biomass

son, and quite often only during a cer-

soy, maize or wheat. The more favourable

from the soil – up to one third of the

tain part of the growing season, peren-

the situation, the more difficult it is for

amount in many areas. To date increasing

nial grasses in permanent grasslands

humans to see sense. There is an urgent

demand for protein-rich and energy-rich

form more root mass from year to year,

need to monitor long term trends in soil

animal feed for industrialized agriculture

allowing the soil beneath the permanent

depletion/ accretion in order to under-

has been the main cause of the destruc-

grassland to prosper. Root formation

stand and control the effects of industrial

tion of rainforests and the ploughing of

directly depends on the rhythm of gra-

land management systems and under-

grasslands. More recently, the demand for

zing. It is crucial that grassland gets

stand the (potential) benefits of sustaina-

agro-fuels has added to these processes.

breaks from grazing. During this period

ble farming and grazing systems.

18

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Environment

Efficient users of feed

slands and feed them with more and

the associated CO2 emissions, as well as

This perspective, which takes the carbon

more albuminous concentrated feed from

the cutting-down of rainforests for fodder

and nitrogen cycles into consideration,

corn, soybeans and grain and turn the

production are all part of this bill.

gives not only a different climate balance

animals into competitors with humans for

for agriculture, but also a completely dif-

food. Ruminant cattle are less efficient at

Yes, cows burp methane. Yet they and

ferent view on livestock – and especially

converting intensive feed than poultry and

other ruminant animals are vital for

ruminant animals.

omnivorous pigs.

feeding the world: through sustainable

Why do cattle belch methane? And why

grazing they can provide milk and meat

not human beings? Because they can

Cows, sheep and buffalo have a great

from grass while contributing to the main-

do something that we cannot – digest

capacity to convert pasture forage into

tenance of soil fertility and climate change

grass. This is because cattle have bil-

milk and meat (and draught power) in

mitigation. We not only need to rehabi-

lions of micro-organisms in their rumen

symbiosis with the micro-organisms in

litate the cow, but also to choose the

which break down the grass and make

their rumens. From this point of view, they

right agricultural system. The decision of

the nutrients available to the cattle. In this

are ingenious users of feed. They should

whether we kill or protect the climate with

process the bacteria produce methane

be particularly pastured on areas that are

cows is up to us.

(CH4), in the same way as we produce

not suitable for crops, such as pastures

carbon dioxide (CO2). The cow then

and grasslands, which can be protected

expels both CO2 and CH4.

from erosion through sustainable grazing.

The milk and meat from intensive pro-

It is not the cows that are the problem,

duction only appears to be cheap. The

but the industrialized agricultural systems

bill comes later. The loss of biological

which shut out farm animals from gras-

diversity, the ploughed grasslands and

Anita Idel is a veterinarian, mediator and a lead author of the IAASTD report. A revised and enlarged English translation of her book, ‘The cow is not a climate-killer! How the agricultural industry destroys the earth and what we can do about it’ is in preparation. www.anita-idel.de

Foto Andreas Schoelzel

The author on a field visit

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

19

By Ilse Köhler-Rollefson

Livestock Keepers’ Rights

A TOOL FOR COUNTERING THE LIVESTOCK REVOLUTION? Livestock is the most important asset of the poor in rural areas: about 70% of the world’s one billion poor people - defined as those living on less than US$ 1.25 per day - are partially or totally dependent on livestock. Livestock generate cash income, but also food, fibre, fuel, fertilizer and traction; they act as a ‘bank on hooves’ and medium of exchange for maintaining social relationships.

O

from animal feed and inputs to the final food product - is controlled by a few large multinational companies.

This development has benefitted urban consumers by making livestock products available at low prices, but its side-effects have been alarming: • The concentration of huge numbers of animals in a single production unit creates ideal conditions for the outbreak of epidemic diseases, requiring the routine use of antibiotics. When diseases

n top of these many essential

by IFPRI, the International Food Policy

do break out – as in the cases of bird

functions and services that lives-

Research Institute, in 1999, the Livestock

flu, swine flu, and others - they often

tock provide, they are also self-

Revolution entails the spread of industrial

quickly spread around the globe, crea-

replicating. In short: livestock ownership

animal production systems in which large

ting enormous costs that are borne by

empowers! Small wonder then that many

numbers of animals – ranging from hund-

charitable and donor agencies that seek

reds to hundreds of thousand - of the

to alleviate poverty in developing countries

same species are confined in one place.

energy intensive and depends on huge

focus on livestock related interventions.

This trend, which is said to be demand-

inputs of fossil fuels, industrial fertilizers,

the tax payer.

• This type of production is extremely

driven by the rapidly growing middle class

and other synthetic chemicals. Intensive

The Livestock Revolution

in developing countries, also brings about

livestock production is one of the big-

But parallel to these efforts, a phenome-

a change in ownership structures: family

gest emitters of greenhouse gases.

non dubbed the ‘Livestock Revolution’

owned farms are replaced by ‘integrated’

• The concentration of animals leads to

is conquering the globe. First identified

set-ups in which the whole value chain -

20

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

an accumulation of their wastes, which

Animal husbandry

Livestock acts as a bank on hooves

find, activists, citing EU data, claim that

achieve this is by creating policy envi-

• Animal welfare is a huge concern.

pollute both the air and water.

the number of pig farmers in Romania

ronments that enable small and medium

• The system is vulnerable to shocks and

declined by 90% between 2003 and 2007

sized livestock keepers to be competitive

puts long-term food security at a peril

following the entry into the country of US

and earn a decent livelihood from animal

since it utilizes mono-cultures of both

hog giant Smithfield.

husbandry. There are many communi-

feed crops (maize and soy) and lives-

This corporate take-over is supported by

ties and ethnic groups which have an

tock (whose genes are also owned by

a number of factors: large subsidies for

ancient culture of livestock keeping and

companies).

industrial producers; the current world

have accumulated tremendous wisdom

• The automated production units elimi-

trade system which pits producers in dis-

in sustainable and humane livestock

nate rural jobs, leading to a rural exo-

tant places against each other, making the

keeping. This is rapidly being eroded

dus. This has enormous implications for

margin per animal very low; the low status

by an unsupportive policy environment.

rural livestock keepers: in the US rural

and reputation of livestock keeping as a

This knowledge and wisdom needs to be

poverty is higher in areas with industrial

career and, finally a paradigm about lives-

saved, rekindled and rejuvenated.

feedlots.

tock development, held by scientists and

Given the critical dependence of the

policy makers, that only considers the out-

majority of the world’s poor on livestock,

put of products and ignores externalities.

the future trajectories of livestock deve-

Small-scale livestock keepers are losing out

lopment are of major importance: not only

As the Livestock Revolution has spread

Dispersed livestock keeping is essential

for concerned consumers in developed

from North America to Europe and much

for sustainability

countries, but especially for rural develop-

of Asia, small and medium-sized livestock

For livestock production to once again

ment and poverty alleviation in developing

producers who raise animals in a sustai-

become sustainable the concentrated

countries. In addition to unfair competition

nable and usually fairly humane way,

production mode, with its many harmful

from an industry that routinely externalizes

making use of local resources, are being

externalities, must be replaced with a

its huge environmental costs, there have

forced out of business. While data about

much more dispersed and decentralized

been cases in which industrial systems

the impact of the Livestock Revolution on

approach that is humane, labour intensive

have blatantly sought to be protected at

rural smallholders are generally hard to

and produces healthier food. The way to

the expense of smallholder livestock kee-

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

21

indigenous livestock keepers representing those communities who have a long-standing cultural association with their livestock and have developed their breeds through a process of interaction with a specific territory or landscape and ecological livestock keepers who may be modern but adhere to standards that largely correspond to organic principles, i.e. sustaining their animals largely on natural vegetation or home-grown fodder and crop by-products and without artificial

Livestock is the most important asset of the poor in rural areas

feed additives.

A large number of civil society organizations and livestock keepers’ organizations have already signed up to the Declaration on Livestock Keepers’ Rights. Governments were initially reluctant to support Livestock Keepers’ Rights, but in the

pers. For instance in the wake of bird flu,

a bundle of rights that would enable and

aftermath of the Nagoya Protocol on

backyard poultry keepers in Southeast

support traditional and small-scale lives-

Access and Benefit-Sharing negotiated

Asia were prohibited from keeping chic-

tock keepers to continue keeping animals

during the last meeting of the Convention

kens in the vicinity of the large production

and use them to maintain and improve

on Biological Diversity in October 2010,

units that were the likely cause of the

their incomes and livelihoods (see box).

they now seem to be changing their

outbreaks. In Egypt, about a million pigs

The process of developing this charter

minds. This became apparent during the

belonging to minority Copts were culled

involved a series of grassroots level con-

thirteenth session of the Commission on

to stop the spread of swine flu, destroying

sultations that took place in Kenya, India,

Genetic Resources for Food and Agricul-

their livelihoods. The increased patenting

Italy, Ethiopia, and South Africa. These

ture (CGRFA) held at FAO in Rome in July,

of genetic sequences is another trend

meetings involved hundreds of livestock

2011 during which some governments

that is threatening to undermine the ability

keepers representing more than 20 coun-

recommended that Livestock Keepers’

of livestock keepers to breed animals.

tries.

Rights should be addressed’.

Arguably, these developments repre-

The three principles and five rights have

IFOAM has signed the Declaration.

sent a serious curtailing of fundamental

been compiled into the ‘Declaration on

Sign it too!

human rights, since people have had

Livestock Keepers Rights’ which referen-

the right to keep and breed livestock for

ces them to existing legal frameworks

the last 10,000 years. In response to this

(LIFE Network, 2009). The Declaration

scenario, civil society has developed the

also clarifies the term ‘livestock keeper’,

concept of ‘Livestock Keepers’ Rights’,

breaking it down into two specific groups:

Ilse Köhler-Rollefson coordinates the League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development (LPP), a research and advocacy organisation for ecological and equitable livestock development. She divides her time between Germany and Rajasthan where she lives among the Raika pastoralists.

Livestock Keepers’ Rights Principles:

Livestock Keepers are creators of breeds and custodians of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture.

Livestock Keepers and the sustainable use of traditional breeds are dependent on the conservation of their respective ecosystems.

Traditional breeds represent

22

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

collective property, products of indigenous knowledge and cultural expression of Livestock Keepers.

Livestock Keepers have the right to: m ake breeding decisions and

breed the breeds they maintain. p articipate in policy formu-

lation and implementation processes on animal genetic resources for food and agriculture. appropriate training and capacity building and equal access to relevant services enabling and supporting them to raise livestock and to better process and market their products. p articipate in the identifica-

tion of research needs and research design with respect to their genetic resources, as is mandated by the principle of Prior Informed Consent. e ffectively access information on issues related to their local breeds and livestock diversity. www.pastoralpeoples.org/docs/ Declaration_on_LKRs_with_initial signatories_6.pdf

Your Partner In Organic Potatoes, Vegetables and Fruits Im- & export of fresh and industrial organic potatoes, vegetables and fruits. Custom designed and reliable services for sourcing and marketing your organic products.

The Netherlands

By Klaus Str端ber

Soil compaction and other environmental effects

HORSE POWER ON MODERN FARMS In advanced industrial countries, the tractor has been the primary source of power and the driving force of the farming industry for the past 50 years. Tractors and other machinery provide a quicker and more powerful source of power than animals, and thus replaced animal labour.

Tractors have increased agricultural production and profits by allowing more work to be done with less manpower.

24

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Y

et it is worth looking at what farms have lost through this technologi-

Globally, ten times as many farmers use animals than tractors

cal advance and the convenience

Animal husbandry

on to compacted soils. The yield and profit of the parcels worked by horses was at least 15% higher each year throughout

it bought. Until the 1960s horses, next

the trail. These comparative tests will now

to cows and oxen, were the most useful

continue to until 2015.

animals in farming. Globally there are still ten times as many farmers (300 million)

On many farms the use of horse labour

working with animals, than with tractors,

is limited by the availability of manpo-

(and more than 1 billion farmers still rely

wer, which in turn depends on the farms’

on just manual labour).

ability to pay their workers proper wages and a working rural population. The size

The use of heavy agricultural machine

of plots affects the viability of using horse

often leads to high levels of soil compac-

than producing the equivalent grain to

traction and only about 60% of the test

tion. Roughly 30 million hectares of land

produce bio fuels, freeing up more land for

locations could be worked with horses: on

in Europe have been irreversibly compac-

growing crops for people. Producing fod-

plots of 1.6 ha or more this increased to

der also increases agro-biodiversity and is

100%. Overall some 60% of the work was

a good tool in a wider crop rotation. Horse

done with horse drawn equipment, redu-

traction is also less destructive of fauna

cing overall fuel consumption by about

ted from machine use. In Germany, 13% of greenhouse gasses come from

than mechanical traction. When tractors

30%. The results also showed that repla-

fossil fuels used in tractors.

are used for mowing and ploughing they

cing machines with workhorses can help

The agricultural sector is the

can kill up to 90% of the frogs or toads

regenerate unusable, degenerated and

only sector that can (theoreti-

in a field but with traditional horse drawn

compacted farmland. However, possibly

cally) absorb more greenhouse

equipment this number is more typically

the main obstacle to making any signifi-

gases than it produces.

about 10%.

cant switch to horse traction in modern

The ‘green-balance

A German study which took place on

agriculture, mainly through the

societies is the loss of rural skills needed to manage working horses.

analysis’, an energy apprai-

a 22.5 ha farm, sought to evaluate the

sal system for the suitability

potential for using horse-power to rege-

Countries that still significantly rely on

of industrial production -

nerate compacted land – and assess the

animals as a form of traction should care-

created by the German

energy balance involved in such a change

fully review and consider the negative

Federal Environmental

in practice. The study did not take into

consequences of replacing of them by

Agency– rates horses more

account other environmental effects. The

tractors and other agricultural machinery.

highly than tractors. Horses

three year study established three dif-

The experience of countries that have

can utilize energy from raw

ferent plots for a series of trials to directly

done so already shows that it can cre-

renewable sources to a much

compare the impact of using tractors and

ate many unforeseen problems. If one

greater extent than tractors.

horses on the land. After three years there

takes into account the costs of soil com-

In Sweden in 1927, 60% of the

were measurable differences between the

paction, high energy use and the other

plots: the areas worked by horses were

environmental effects of tractor use and

able to hold up to 45cm more water than

internalize them within the economics of

those worked by tractors and showed

the farming system it may well be that the

more aeration: this despite a tractor being

use of animal draft power would be much

lighter than a pair of work horses. Thus,

more attractive.

energy needed for farming came from renewable sources; in 1996, due to the use of machinery, this number had fallen to just 9%. Workhorses can be substantially fed off the land. Feeding horses requires less land

the use of workhorses might offer a soluti-

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

25

A Common Voice A Common Voice Afor Common Voice the organic for the formovement the organic organic movement movement

40 40 Years Years Leading, Leading, Uniting Uniting and and Assisting Assisting 40the Years Leading, Uniting and Assisting Worldwide Movement.

Worldwide Organic Movement.

40the Years Leading, Organic Uniting and Assisting the Worldwide Organic Movement. the Worldwide Organic Movement.

787 787 787 115 115 787 115 115

affiliates affiliates affiliates countries countries affiliates countries countries

IFOAM IFOAM is is IFOAM is important important as IFOAMas is important as the only theimportant only worldworldas the only worldforum wide forum the wide only worldwide forum for organic for organic wide forum for organic organizations, organizations, for organic organizations, providing providing organizations, providing ‘meeting ‘meeting providing ‘meeting places’ for places’ for ‘meeting places’ for those involved those involved places’ for thoseininvolved organic organic thoseininvolved in organic production all production all in organic production all over the over the world. world. production all over the world. over the world.

Since 1972, IFOAM Since 1972, IFOAM Since 1972, IFOAM occupies an unchallenged occupies an unchallenged Since 1972, IFOAM occupies an unchallenged position as the only position as the only occupies an unchallenged position as the only international umbrella international umbrella position asof the the organic only international organization organization of theumbrella organic international umbrella organization the organic world, i.e. stakeholders world, i.e. all allof stakeholders organization of the organic world, i.e. allto stakeholders contributing the organic contributing to the organic world, i.e. all stakeholders contributing to the organic vision.

This allows IFOAM vision.

This allows IFOAM contributing to the organic vision.

This allows IFOAM to unite, lead and assist to unite, lead and IFOAM assist vision.

Thislead allows to unite, and assist the organic movement -- all the organic movement all to unite, lead and assist the organic movement all IFOAM Affiliates in its full IFOAM Affiliates - in its -full the organic movement alla IFOAM Affiliates in its full diversity, while providing diversity, while providing a IFOAM Affiliates - inrelevant its full diversity, while providing a common voice on common voice on relevant diversity, while on providing common voice relevanta organic issues. organic issues. common voice on relevant organic issues.

IFOAM implements organic issues.

IFOAM implements the the will will of of its its broad-based broad-based IFOAM implements the will of its broad-based constituency, with Affiliates in more than 100 countries constituency, with Affiliates in more than 100 countries IFOAM implements the in will oforiginating its 100 broad-based constituency, with Affiliates more than countries and is governed by a World Board from and is governed by a World Board originating from all all constituency, with Affiliates in more than 100 countries and is governed by a World Board originating from all continents.

The IFOAM Action Network comprises selfcontinents.

The IFOAM ActionBoard Network comprises selfand is governed by a World originating fromselfall continents.

The IFOAM Action Network comprises organized IFOAM regional and sector groups and daughter organized IFOAM regional and sector groups and daughter continents.

The IFOAM Network comprises selforganized IFOAM regionalAction and sector groups and daughter organizations. organizations. organized IFOAM regional and sector groups and daughter organizations. organizations.

IFOAM‘s IFOAM‘s membership membership is is as as diverse diverse as as the the organic organic world world itself. itself.

IFOAM‘s membership is as diverse as the organic world itself.

It includes Members, i.e. organizations whose activities are It includes Members, isi.e. organizations whose activities are membership as diverse asi.e. thewhose organicactivities worldwhose itself.

ItIFOAM‘s includes Members, i.e. organizations are predominantly organic, Associates, organizations predominantly organic,i.e.

Associates, i.e. organizations whose It includes Members, organizations whose activities are predominantly organic, Associates, i.e. organizations whose activities in organic represent less than 50% of their turnover, and activities in organic represent less than 50% of their turnover, and predominantly organic, Associates, i.e. organizations whose activities in organic represent than 50%to their turnover, and Supporters, individual people, who want support the Supporters, individual people,less who want toof support the organic organic activities in organic represent less than 50% of their turnover, and Supporters, individualof people, who want to support the organic alternative.

Benefits membership in IFOAM are manifold. alternative.

Benefits of membership in IFOAM are manifold.

Supporters,Benefits individual who want to support the organic alternative. of people, membership in IFOAM are manifold. alternative. Benefits of membership in IFOAM are manifold.

1.

1. IFOAM‘s IFOAM‘s advocacy advocacy work. work. See See Organic Organic Agriculture Agriculture represented represented 1. IFOAM‘s advocacy work.

See Organic Agriculture represented in international policy debates and positioned as a solution in international policy debates and positioned as arepresented solution for for 1. in IFOAM‘s advocacy work.

See Organic Agriculture international policy debates and positioned as a solution for global challenges. global challenges. in international policy debates and positioned as a solution for global challenges.

2.

Networking Opportunities. global challenges.

2. Networking Opportunities. Exchange Exchange ideas ideas in in aa community community 2. Networking Opportunities.

Exchange ideas in a community of like-minded peers and develop partnerships. of like-minded peers and develop partnerships.

2. of Networking Exchange ideas in a community like-mindedOpportunities. peers and develop partnerships.

3.

Global Organic Decision Making.

Participate of like-minded peers and develop partnerships.

3. Global Organic Decision Making. Participate in in the the processes processes 3. Global Organic Decision Making.

Participate in the processes shaping the agenda for the global organic movement. shaping the agenda for the global organic movement.

3. shaping Global Organic Decision Participate in the processes the agenda for theMaking. global organic movement.

4. & IFOAM is vast shaping the agenda for the global organic 4. Resources Resources & Discounts.

Discounts.

IFOAM is aa movement. vast repository repository of of 4. Resources & Discounts.

IFOAM is a vast repository of knowledge that it shares via its website, publications and knowledge that it shares via its website, publications and 4. knowledge Resources & from Discounts.

IFOAM is a 50%. vast repositoryand of that it shares via its website, publications events.

Benefit discounts of typically events.

Benefit from discounts of typically 50%. knowledge thatfrom it shares viaofitstypically website, publications and events.

Benefit discounts 50%.

5.

Partnering Opportunities.

Develop, with events. BenefitOpportunities. from discounts ofDevelop, typically 50%.

5. Partnering with IFOAM, IFOAM, joint joint 5. Partnering Opportunities.

Develop, with IFOAM, joint projects or initiatives. projects or initiatives.

5. projects Partnering Opportunities. Develop, with IFOAM, joint or initiatives.

6. listed projects orBe initiatives.

6. Visibility.

Visibility.

Be listed on on our our website website and and see see your your logo logo appear appear 6. Visibility.

Be listed on our website and see your logo appear in the Directory.

Share your stories through our publications or in the Directory.

Share your stories through our publications or 6. in Visibility.

Be listed on our website and see your logo appear the Directory.

Share your stories through our publications or host an IFAM event. host anDirectory.

IFAM event. in thean Share your stories through our publications or host IFAM event. host an IFAM event.

Be Be Part Part of of the the Global Global Organic Organic Movement.

Movement. Many Many of of our our Affiliates Affiliates Be Part of the Global Organic Movement.

Many of our Affiliates join IFOAM to support a cause they believe in.

They are proud to join IFOAM to support a cause they believe in.

They are proud to Be Part of the Global Organic Movement.

Many of our Affiliates join IFOAM to support a cause they believe in.

They are proud to be part. be part. joinpart.

IFOAM to support a cause they believe in. They are proud to be Whatever be part. your Whatever your reason reason for for joining joining IFOAM, IFOAM, your your membership membership helps helps Whatever your reason for joining IFOAM, your membership helps us pursue our mission.

Make a difference.

Apply today. us pursue your our mission.

Make a difference.

Apply today.

Whatever reason Make for joining IFOAM, your membership helps us pursue our mission. a difference.

Apply today. us pursue our mission. Make a difference. Apply today.

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By Dong-Geun Choi

Still small, but growing quickly

South Korea

In 2009 the domestic market for organic products in South Korea was reported to be worth €226 million: €106 million for unprocessed products and €121 million for processed foods. These figures showed an increase of 30.1 percent and 23.3 percent over 2008.

T

he first initiatives for organic agriculture in

indicator of the emergence of this type of agriculture from a

South Korea were spontaneous grassroots

niche to the mainstream. It is expected that this growth will

actions by farmers and civil groups in the mid-

continue in the future. Organic agriculture currently accounts

1970s. Some Korean farmers were aware of the health

for 13,343 hectares of South Korea’s agricultural land.

and ecological hazards posed by the over-use of agro-

28

chemicals and synthetic fertilizers and chose to con-

Government support

vert to a safer mode of agriculture. Non-governmental

To support organic farmers, the government made amend-

organizations also started to voice their concerns about

ments to the Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Promotion

the safety of conventional agricultural systems and

Act to establish the legal foundations for an official list of

the resultant growing consumer awareness about food

inputs allowed in organic agriculture. As of July 2010 the

safety and the environment fostered the growth of orga-

system, operated by the Rural Development Administration,

nic agriculture. Consumer organic cooperatives began

includes a list of about 1,067 organic materials permitted for

to take root nationwide and the sale of organic products

use in organic agriculture, 675 of which are for soil improve-

increased through direct sales between farmers and

ment and 392 for pest control.

consumer groups. In late 1994, the Korean government

As part of its Low-Carbon Green Growth policies, the

established the Environmental Agriculture Division,

government announced measures in April 2010 to pro-

which became the starting point for implementing

mote organic processed foods and several incentives for

government policies for environmentally-friendly agricul-

increasing organic farmland to 50,000 hectares by 2015,

ture, including organic farming.

to expand the organic food market and industry to 2 tril-

At the end of 2009, there were 202,000 hectares of

lion Won (approximately €1.4 billion) and increasing the

registered environmentally-friendly agricultural land.

exports of organic food. The present certification system,

Such products now hold a 12.2% market share: a clear

which is divided into organic agricultural products (under

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

country report

Table 1

Organic agricultural production

Category Farm households Farmland (ha) Production (ton)

2007

2008

2009

7,507 9,729 107,179

8,460 12,033 114,649

9,403 13,343 108,810

Share of national totals in 2009 0.8% 0.8% 0.6%

2007-2009 Table 2

Production volume according to type

Category

Grains

Fruit

Vegetables

Potatoes

2009

29,861 (27.4)

7,216 (6.6)

54,068 (49.7)

4,307 (4.0)

Beef 13 423

Pork 144 124

Crops for special use 13,358 (12.3)

Total 108,810 (100.0)

in metric tons 2009 (share =%) Table 3

Organic animal husbandry

Category 2008 2009

Chicken 134 149

Eggs 793 529

Milk 10,123 9,270

Other 585

Total 11,207 11,080

in metric tons (2009) Table 4

Development of the domestic market in

Category

2006

2007

2008

Organic agricultural products Organic processed food Total

111.4 141.9 253.3

142.7 171.9 314.6

188.5 215.8 404.3

Average annual growth rate 30.1% 23.3% 26.3%

in billion Won on 2006-2008 Source: National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service

intensive fruit and vegetable production is the main sector

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

29

country report

Table 6:

Imports of processed organic products* 2001 to 2008 *Including products with organic ingredients

Table 5:

Imports of organic primary products by country in metric tons

Year

Volume (metric tons)

Main Countries

2001

746

2002

1,102

USA, NZ, Japan, France Germany, USA, Japan, Austria, France

2003

1,819

USA, Germany, England, France, Japan

2004

4,674

USA, Germany, France, England, Japan

2005

7,469

USA, France, Italy, Germany, Austria

2006

11,469

USA, Austria, France, Italy, Germany

2007

24,793

USA, France, Germany

2008

18,028

USA, France, Austria, Germany

Country

2006

2007

2008

China

3,919

5,467

4,020

195

458

USA

15

Australia

21

Kyrgyzstan

1,235

709

1,010

Philippines

729

2,356

2,185

New Zealand

924

706

420

Colombia

103

17

Canada

306

690

9,842

9,063

265

Mexico Total

6,843

Source: Korea Food & Drug Administration 2009, provided by Jennifer Chang

the Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture Promotion

percent. There were 9,403 organic farm households, with a

Act) and processed food (under the Food Industry Pro-

cultivated area of 13,343 hectares and a production volume

motion Act) will be unified by 2011. The government

of 108,810 metric tons. Table 2 shows the main types of

has announced measures to amend the organic food

organically produced products, with vegetables and grains

certification system and will come up with regulations

being the most important product groups.

for equivalency for foreign organic certification systems

The production of organic livestock exceeded 10,000 metric

and promote equivalency agreements.

tons in 2008, driven by the rapid growth of dairy products (see Table 3). Organic pork and organic chicken did not see

30

Production

large increases, but organic beef dramatically increased to

In 2009, organic products accounted for 5 percent of

423 metric tons in 2009. This is due in part to the increase

the total production of environmentally-friendly agricul-

of the introduction of the ‘resource-circulation’ type of orga-

tural products, no-pesticide products accounted for 37

nic agriculture (a combination of organic agriculture and

percent, and low-pesticide products accounted for 58

organic husbandry) in rural communities.

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Company profile

By Yvonne Kresinger

Managing food production chains

TRADIN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE In the first of a series of portraits of organizations that play an important role in the development of the organic sector, Ecology & Farming turns the spotlight on Tradin Organic.

T

radin Organic is one of the world’s main trading companies in organic commodities. For

some years part of SunOpta, Tradin Organic provides customers around the world with an extensive range of organic ingredients sourced from over 50 countries. They have also initiated their own organic projects in Ethiopia, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Serbia, China, Pakistan, Indonesia and the Philippines. Their worldwide sales offices, in the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, France, China, Thailand, Africa and the Middle East are strategically positioned to integrate with the global market.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

31

TRADIN PRODUCTS

TRADIN ORGANIC’S ORGANIC AND NATURAL INGREDIENT PRODUCTS Sweeteners (sugar, agave) Tomatoes Cocoa products Juice concentrates Puree single strength and concentrates Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) fruit and vegetables Citrus Juices NFC

Tropical oils and fats Vinegars Beans and pulses Green coffee Nut butters Nuts and dried fruits Seeds Grains

Agricultural production with a positive impact on the incomes of farming families beans, pulses, seeds, nuts, oils and vinegars, dairy products, seasonings, sweeteners and more. From the beginning, they were not only a trading company but also involved in setting up ‘own projects’ with partners in several countries. Through direct sourcing and company-managed processing, they control all levels of the supply chain from farm to warehouse.

Tradin Organic is dedicated to producing and supplying the highest quality certified organic food ingredients available, guarantees the organic integrity of its products and ensures that all the ingredients comply with customers’ product specifications and quality demands. For a

Tradin Organic was founded in Amster-

it is now one of the world’s leading pro-

company like Tradin Organic, with produc-

dam, the Netherlands in 1985 by Wim

viders of globally sourced organic food

tion facilities in developing countries and

Rabbie and Gerard Versteegh, who both

ingredients. They are a key supplier of a

markets with very high quality standards

are still active in the management of the

wide variety of organic products including:

in developed countries, it is essential to

company. Since that time the company

frozen fruits and vegetables, dried fruits,

have a secure organic quality assurance

has continually grown to the point where

coffee, cocoa, tomatoes, cereals, rice, soy,

system to guarantee the integrity of raw

32

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Company profile

organic food ingredients. Their own staff

the supply chain from farm to warehouse.

Tradin Organic also has citrus projects

agronomists work with farmers at the

Price and availability are further vital

in two major growing regions of Mexico,

front end of the chain to ensure that orga-

components in being able to manufacture

with certified growers in the states of Vera

nic practices are followed. Tradin Orga-

a successful finished product. Tradin

Cruz, Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon in eas-

nic’s Food Safety and Quality Program-

Organic’s grower contracting, global sour-

tern Mexico and Sonora in north-western

mes verify every link of the supply chain.

cing, seasonal buying and large volumes,

Mexico. These projects provide education

Through communicating about organic

guarantee a reliable supply of high quality

and support in the field and their own

production systems, in combination with

organic industrial ingredients at the best

processing facilities to provide the highest

the principles of quality assurance and

possible prices.

quality organic citrus products. Orange

fair trade, producers and local staff and

juice is the main product – in both con-

management in many countries learn how

In addition to sourcing worldwide, Tradin

centrate and non-concentrate form. They

to achieve safe food production through

Organic has initiated a number of its own

Mexican projects also produce organic

good agricultural practices. This impro-

organic projects over the years. They

lemon, lime and grapefruit juices, and

ves agricultural production, with a positive

range from cultivation and processing to

cold pressed oils.

impact on the incomes of many farming

export and are organized and controlled

families.

to meet the expectations of our custo-

Tradin Organic’s mission is to globally

mers. Some of Tradin Organic’s projects

source and distribute organic food ingre-

As part of the Quality Assurance and

are based in Ethiopia, including Trabocca,

dients that are competitively priced,

Organic Programmes Tradin Organic

a source of organic and Fair Trade spe-

ecologically and environmentally sound. It

works closely with accredited third party

ciality coffee and Selet Hulling, a sup-

strives to meet the quality requirements of

laboratories and auditors around the

plier of organic sesame seed. Trabocca

their customers, while promoting the well-

world. It also dedicates significant resour-

specializes in sourcing and organic and

being of the communities it works with, its

ces to conducting all the pertinent tests

conventional products (coffee, spices,

employees and shareholders. Its vision is

on ingredients (including for pesticides,

hibiscus and tea) of the highest quality

to be a sustainable and leading supplier

microbiology, physical-chemical attribu-

from countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania,

of premium quality certified organic ingre-

tes, GMOs and authenticity) and carrying

Senegal, Indonesia and the Dominican

dients, while continually driving innovation

out inspection of farms and plants. Tradin

Republic. The company offers a fantastic

and service that exceeds their customers’

Organic offers a range of certifications,

range of speciality coffees, including wild

expectations. In a history of more than 25

including the Natural Organic Program

coffee from Ethiopia. Selet Hulling Pri-

years the company has shown that these

(NOP), European Union (EU), Japan Agri-

vate Limited Company is a joint-venture

goals are more than compatible with good

cultural Standards (JAS) and Orthodox

between Ethiopian based Kaleb Service

financial results.

Union (OU) Kosher. The future growth of

Farmers House and Tradin Organic Agri-

the organic sector is dependent on the

culture B.V. It purchases sesame seeds

credibility of organic products which is

from several grower-owned cooperatives

maintained and achieved through quality

in Ethiopia. Selet is creating a platform

control. The company is probably one of

for sustainable agriculture in Ethiopia that

You can also visit Trading Organic at a number of upcoming events: Natural Products Expo East, September 22-24, 2011 in Baltimore, MA, BioFach (February 15-18, 2012 in Nürnberg, Germany ), Gulfood (Feb 19 – 22, 2012 in Dubai, UAR) and Natural Products Expo West 2012 (March 8-11 in Anaheim, California).

the top players in the organic industry in

will improve the incomes of farmers and

terms of its budget for quality control. In

their families, and provide much-needed

the Netherlands, the company is one of

support for local schools and other com-

the leaders in developing a united, high

munity infrastructure. The sesame seeds

level quality assurance system for the

are processed in a brand new, environ-

organic industry. It is clear that in today’s

mentally friendly, factory, using state of

demanding food marketplace, it’s not

the art technologies including dry hulling

enough to just deliver quality products;

and colour sorting. Intensive training and

companies need and want exceptional

monitoring programmes are in place, allo-

value from their suppliers. For an inter-

wing Selet Hulling to produce according

national trading company this means

to strict quality control principles and to

direct sourcing and company-managed

guarantee full traceability from the field to

processing, so as to control all levels of

your factory.

Food Safety and Quality Programmes that verify every link of the supply chain ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

33

By Jenifer Chang

South Korea, September 2011

THE ORGANIC WORLD CONGRESS

The Organic World Congress (OWC) is where the organic movement comes to meet, exchange experiences, and develop ideas and strategies for the development and growth of organic agriculture. First held in Switzerland in 1977, the most recent Organic World Congress took place in Italy in 2008, bringing together 2,000 participants from all over the world. The 17th Organic World Congress will be held this year for the first time in Asia: in the Paldang Region, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is hosted by the Korean Organizing Committee in conjunction with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and with the cooperation of the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR).

The main OWC

which takes place between September 28th and October 1st, 2011, will have three tracks: system values, research and ‘open-space’.

There will also be various thematic pre-conferences, held in different locations around the Republic of South Korea from September 26 to 28, 2011. These include:

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

• Aquaculture Conference - Korea Maritime Research Institute, Uljin County • Cosmetics Conference - Organic Agricultural Museum, Namyangju City

• Textiles Conference - Organic Agricultural Museum, Namyangju City • Ginseng Conference - Adonis Hotel, Pocheon City

events

T

he theme of the conference, ‘Organic is Life’, reiterates the philosophy of organic farmers in

Korea, which is based on the recycling of natural resources and the reverence for all living things, a concept that resonates throughout East Asian philosophy. Organic farmers in Korea believe, as farmers have for four thousand years or more, in the interconnectedness of living things. They approach agriculture in a holistic way, emphasizing the circle of life, in harmony with nature.

Keynote Speeches at OWC SEPTEMBER 28, 2011 ORGANIC IS LIFE – OUR COMMON VISION AND DEDICATION FOR A HEALTHY PLANET (THE ORGANIC PRINCIPLE OF HEALTH) Kim Sung Hoon (former Agriculture Minister): Korean organic agriculture – models for a healthier planet.

The planet is challenged. The international community and governments need to rethink their policies if they want healthy societies. We need a paradigm shift for green growth. What can we, OWC participants, do about it? Let organic production and thinking become a source of inspiration for a new thinking in eastern and western societies. Show the example that Korea can provide to the world and position Korea as a leader that uses organic farming for a healthier planet.

Sarojeni Rengam: Pesticide detoxification – do we have a plan?

We all know pesticides are unhealthy and about their dangers and consequences.

• Seed Conference - Heuksalim Education Center, Goesan County • Tea Conference - Jeju University, Jeju Island

• Urban Agriculture - Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Conference Research & Extension Services (GARES), Hwaseong City

• Wine Conference - Agricultural Development & Technology Center, Yangpyeong County

But what is the alternative? What needs to be changed for a healthier farms, for healthier families, for healthier communities, for healthier countries and for a healthier planet? And how do we make the call ‘to put poor farmers first’ into reality.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

35

Master Dobeop: Organic is life Organic is a holistic philosophy. There is a link between religion and agriculture. A healthy environment is a precondition for people to have healthy bodies, healthy minds and healthy souls. What is the role of organic agriculture for harmonizing the inner and outer worlds? And how can organic principles support a personal balance between spiritual and secular life?

Hans Herren: Time for a proactive organic mind-set We, the organic movement, need to mainstream the issue of health in both the organic world and the world at large. We have a conservative mindset and highlight

Let organic production and thinking become a source of inspiration for a new thinking

preserving soils, avoiding biodiversity loss, protecting animals, conserving endangered varieties/breeds and participatory processes. The time has come to

from them to earn the position of spear-

+20, for CAP and other policy initiatives.

start more positive strategies: to move

heading sustainable agriculture? What

The organic movement has to show that it

from leading standards to leading policy

do we need to improve to become really

cares more and invest resources in inter-

and market communication strategies.

sustainable?

national advocacy (e.g. for making the

This might mean not saying ‘eat less

LaRhea Pepper: Caring is good business

green economy really green and fair and

meat’ but advocating a healthy diet; not

for all: the case of organic cotton

not a greenwashing instrument, to make

criticizing the loss of species, but show-

We care for what we wear! The success

climate change agreements smallholder-

casing rich habitats and not just optimi-

story of organic cotton and why organic

friendly, to prevent land grabbing and to

zing value chains but showcasing the

cotton cultivation is not only about cot-

emphasize the ecosystem services of

value of eco-intensification in promoting

ton, but also about nutrition. Organic

multifunctional agriculture).

food security.

cotton as a typical case of what organic

Moses Muwanga: A decent life for Africa’s

should represent. What can the rest of the

poor: a precondition for the human right

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

organic world learn from organic cotton?

to care

ORGANIC IS LIFE – WE CARE FOR

It promotes sustainable livelihoods and

African farmers have to become strong

THE GENERATIONS TO COME (THE

reduces risk through diversity.

enough to be able to care for the well

ORGANIC PRINCIPLE OF CARE)

Mette Melgaard: Organic movement,

being of their families, for their environ-

where is your voice?

ment, for their animals, for their culture

John Reganold: The need for organic

The potentials of organic agriculture are

and traditions and for their future gene-

improvements in moving towards sustai-

greatly underestimated when it comes

rations. Organic agriculture is the only

nability

to setting and realizing objectives for

agricultural system that provides the

Can we ever be really sustainable? Where

agriculture policies: in the North, South,

opportunity for farmers to care for all

are the main areas in agriculture, where

East and West. National and international

aspects of their families’ lives. Care is

we have to take care that future gene-

organic action plans are rare; where they

not only a principle of organic agriculture

rations have equivalent or better oppor-

do exist they are neither ambitious nor

but it is also a right for human beings: to

tunities? Why is the implementation of

well implemented. The organic movement

be able to afford to protect their social,

the principle of continuous improvement

cares for the well-being of farmers, for

economic cultural and natural environ-

imperative for the organic movement?

a rich nature, for animals and plants, for

ments. What is being done in Uganda

Why do we, the organic movement,

balanced societies and for the other servi-

- after India the country with the most

do things better than other agriculture

ces we rightly expect from multifunctional

organic farmers – to ensure that people

systems and what do we need to learn

agriculture. We need to be strong for Rio

can care about future generations? How

36

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

events

is the organic movement in Uganda

breeding in adaptation to climate change?

Liz Clay: Fairness inside? Of course!

seeking to empower its stakeholders and

Can we rely on traditional and/or organic

Organic is not only about being free from

help them to escape the poverty trap?

breeding or does climate change force

pesticides or GMOs or animal friendly but

farmers to use seeds from conventional

also about being fair. Fair Trade, however,

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

research? How can we ensure that eve-

is often perceived as a parallel standard

ORGANIC IS LIFE – ECO-INTENSIFI-

rybody on this planet gets access to the

and certification. We need to develop the

CATION HARNESSES THE POWER OF

plant and animal genetic resources that

understanding that organic is also fair and

NATURE (THE ORGANIC PRINCIPLE

can enrich the environment, plants, ani-

that fairness is one aspect of the organic

OF ECOLOGY)

mals and people?

standards, and an important criterion in

Gary Zimmer: Powered by nature: high-

the holistic approach. How do we get

Humberto Rios Labrada: Conversion can

yielding organic agriculture

there? There are three points that the

work for a whole nation - learning from

Eco-intensification is the new concept

organic movement can learn: 1. We deve-

Cuba’s know-how.

emerging from the organic agriculture

lop from fair to fairer; 2. We aim at fairness

Cuba underwent an agricultural conver-

movement that encapsulates the para-

for all (from field to plate or from farmers

sion: from the highest pesticide consumer

digm we advocate. The concept covers

to consumers and not only fair farm pro-

in Latin America to a green society. Hum-

all the three major challenges affecting

ducers) and 3. We actively communicate

berto discusses the extent of the para-

the world: food security/poverty, climate

that we are fair. In 10 years time, fairness

digm shift after the fall of the iron curtain,

change and biodiversity. But what exactly

should be part of organic thinking and

how this worked in Cuba and what we

is eco-intensification and how does high

practice in the way that animal welfare is

can learn from this: how a nationwide

yielding organic agriculture work on the

today. Who is leading the way here and

eco-intensification programme, making

ground? What are the secrets and the

what is happening in Australia, Asia, Euro-

use of biodiversity instead of relying on

messages we all need to know? What

pe, the US and other parts of the world?

fossil fuels, works in practice.

examples are there to create optimism

Sophia Twarog: Let the good products

Gunnar Rundgren: Fighting poverty and

about the possibility of an ecological

flow for the benefit of all.

hunger with organic agriculture: who tells

planet and the smart and efficient use of

Trade is sometimes unfair, but prohibition

the donors?

natural resources?

of trade is always unfair! Fairness means

Organic agriculture should be at the

equal chances for everyone to sell their

forefront of spearheading the Green Eco-

OCTOBER 1, 2011

products and it means the removal of tariff

nomy. Greening the planet starts in poor

ORGANIC IS LIFE – EQUAL OPPORTUNI-

and non-tariff trade barriers worldwide.

countries. We have managed to convince

TIES FOR EVERYBODY (THE ORGANIC

What are the common mistakes in our

the UNEP and the UN Rapporteur on

PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS)

thinking and where do we risk acting in

Food. But, why have we not reached the

a counterproductive way? For example

development agencies, the UNDP and

Wen Tiejun: Lifting rural people out of

excluding small remote farmers from

the Development Banks? Why do they all

poverty with organic agriculture: China’s

markets, reducing biodiversity etc? What

think that organic is radical and restricts

next surprise?

needs to be done (on all levels) with orga-

development options? Organic agriculture

Millions of Chinese families have escaped

nic trade rules to make fair trade possi-

is not just a set of standards to reduce

poverty thanks to industrialization and

ble? Equitools is an instrument, based on

rich people’s footprint but a development

urbanization. But what about the ones

the principle of equivalence-based recog-

model that enables rural people to attain

those who have stayed in rural areas?

nition and the IFOAM Family of Standards,

a decent livelihood. It should be the best

What can be offered to them so that

both important preconditions for avoiding

solution for achieving this. What do we

they (and future generations) have a fair

discriminating against farmers from the

need to change to make this a reality and

chance of a decent life? How can China

South.

how do we convince designers of deve-

reform its rural and agricultural policies

Yoshinori Kaneko: Did the 17th IFOAM

lopment strategies, policy makers and

and mainstream organic agriculture? How

OWC make any difference to farmers?

donors?

can China make use of organic principles

How has this OWC benefitted organic

Achievements, chances, and challenges

to devise plans to lift people out of rural

farmers? How can participants increase

of organic plant breeding

poverty? How can China surprise the

these benefits and what can they take

Diversity and seeds are symbols for far-

world and create a new policy environ-

with them to the IFOAM General Assembly

mers and symbolic of the sustainable use

ment that will improve the livelihoods of

and home? A practical perspective on the

of natural resources. What is the role of

its rural inhabitants?

lessons leant at the OWC.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

37

events

OCTOBER 1, 2011: ORGANIC IS LIFE – MOVING FORWARD: THE ORGANIC AGENDA UNTIL 2014 Prof Ulrich Köpke: Agenda setting in

IFOAM GENERAL ASSEMBLY

organic science Organic agriculture is a system based on both tradition and science. But our foundation lies in science, not philosophy and dogmatism and this is what will bring us forward. Organic science has learned here at the OWC. What have been the main lessons for the scientific world?

What are the burning questions that science needs to develop answers to? What should be our research priorities for the coming years? And what do we want to achieve by the next OWC? Dr. Suh: Korea is life! We remember!

We have written organic history! How will the 17th OWC in Korea be remembered in 10 years time? What historic steps has the organic movement taken in these past few days? A review of the highlights of Asia’s first OWC. Pat Mooney: Empowerment of the global smallholders’ web We have 1 billion poor people in the

The 2011 IFOAM General Assembly (GA) will take place between the 3rd and 5th of October, at the newly built Organic Museum in Namyangju City, at the entrance to the Korean Film Council Studios.

The IFOAM GA convenes once every three years and takes place in conjunction with the IFOAM Organic World Congress (OWC). It is the democratic foundation of, and decisionmaking forum for, IFOAM, where the World Board is elected for a three-year term. The GA provides strategic guidance to the World Board, which appoints official committees, working groups and task forces, based on the motions and recommendations of IFOAM’s membership.

The GAs are very dynamic and lively gatherings, inspiring members, the board and staff to work towards achieving IFOAM’s mission.

IFOAM Associates and Supporters are welcome to participate in the GA. Associates may ask for the floor and speak to the GA, although they do not have the right to vote.

To register for the GA (IFOAM Members and Associates), please visit www.kowc2011.org/eng/01_owc/registration.asp To register as an IFOAM Affiliate, please visit www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/membership/index.html

world; many of whom are smallholder farmers. How can we help them overcome

What have been the main lessons learnt

be an organic exhibition in the ‘theme

the daily challenges they face? How can

here? What changes have we achieved

zone’ of the venue. This will have a range

their participation in the organic move-

and where will IFOAM be leading the

of exhibits including a livestock meadow,

ment help increase their life chances? We

organic movement in the coming years?

a chance to experience loess, fresh

are promoting a smallholders’ web to help

What do we need to do more (and less)

vegetables and sorghum fields, several

nourish all the people on the planet. We

of? How will this OWC change the way

demonstration plots and an organic café.

think this will provide an opportunity for

that organic people think?. And, while the

There will be pre and post OWC organic

empowering smallholders and creating

OWC helps us learn, the GA makes deci-

tours. These include ‘bio-tours’ to organic

a knowledge intensive (rather than input

sions. What are the issues which need

sites in China and Japan. The Chinese

intensive) agriculture. Many criticize this

resolving at the GA and what are the opi-

tours offer participants the oppurtunity to

strategy and argue for other approaches.

nions of the OWC about these?

visit organic sites in and around Beijing or in the Shanghai & Hangzhou area. There

Why? We want to understand their points and to develop answers to them.

Other highlights of the OWC

will also be both pre and post OWC tours

Katherine diMatteo: We lead the organic

Other highlights of the OWC include a

to organic sites in Japan. These will inclu-

world

wide range of side events including a

de meetings with producers who emp-

The organic movement is diverse but uni-

Market Festival, the 2011 World Orga-

hasize two important aspects of organic

ted and well - coordinated views ensure

nic Fair, the 2011 Good Food Show, the

agriculture, variety and maintaining the

the coherence and effectiveness of our

Ssamzie Organic Sound Festival, Slow

condition of the soil.

strategies and messages. The OWC is

Food & Terra Madre Korea, a matinée

one of our most important instruments.

concert and organic sports. There will also

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Find out more go to www.ifoam.org

Organic & health

By peter brul

HIGH EGGSPECTATIONS

RIKILT, part of Wageningen University and

in the database. In the case of eggs the

first results of methods for organic milk,

Research Centre, has developed a method

focus of the analysis is on the fingerprint

ham and cheese, and for the geographical

to verify the identity of organic eggs using

of the yellow pigments in eggs, the caro-

origin of butter and olive oil, have already

analytical techniques to authenticate

tenoids. A second method is to measure

been presented in publications and further

them. The method is based on a finger-

the difference in fatty acids between orga-

applications of this method are being

print of the components of the egg. The

nic and ordinary eggs as the fatty acid

explored, including its potential for recog-

fingerprints of authentic organic eggs are

composition of feeds in the two systems

nizing organic livestock feed, wild versus

compared with a wide selection of con-

differ and these differences are reflected

farmed fish and sustainable palm oil.

ventional ones and the data are kept in a

in the egg. There is a third method which

database. The method can also be applied

examines the way in which the feed was

While this method of distinguishing orga-

to other products.

cultivated. Feed cultivated using artificial

nic from regular products is intended to

fertilizer has a different nitrogen isotope

combat fraud, it will also act as a deter-

Fraud with eggs and other organic pro-

composition than organically cultivated

rent. The method is already being used

ducts can be extremely lucrative. A

feed and this is detectable in the eggs.

by the Dutch organic certifier (SKAL) and

fraudster can make 7 euro cents per

animal welfare NGOs and is attracting

egg by passing off conventional eggs as

These fingerprints sufficiently differentiate

interest from abroad. MoniQA, an EU-

organic. Certification of organic poultry is

between organic and regular eggs. The

supported research project is applying

based on farm inspections, checks of the

database currently contains data from

this method to eggs from different coun-

bookkeeping and, sometimes, chemical

eggs from more than half of the organic

tries (within and outside the EU) to see

analyses. But, until now there has been no

egg producers in the Netherlands (75) and

if it yields equally reliable results. Earlier

method to determine whether eggs have

approximately 75 other egg producers

tests on eggs from New Zealand showed

been produced organically.

(free range, barn and caged). The method

positive results: the results from 12 other

Â

has proven itself in practice and is able

countries are expected in autumn 2011.

Researchers at RIKILT have developed a

to detect fraud or other irregularities. The

statistical model that compares the finger-

underlying technique can be used for

print of a new sample with that of samples

similar purposes in other products. The

RIKILT is an independent research institute with a focus on the safety and quality of food and feed and is part of Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands. Â

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

39

By Gerold Rahmann

Livestock research

Organic animal husbandry needs scientific support Organic farming is based on the idea of an environmentally-friendly food production system with high animal welfare standards. But in the real world there are many difficulties in reaching these goals. Many problems in animal health and welfare remain unresolved, presenting a challenge for individual producers and the industry as a whole. These include: achieving balanced, 100%-organic, feed rations that produce adequate growth rates and high quality products, animal-friendly transport and slaughtering, the sustainable use of local resources and, last but not least, profitability and the efficient use of resources.

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Animal husbandry

A

nimal welfare is a central objective of organic

use of synthetic essential amino acids, these are not allo-

farming and one of the most important reasons

wed in organic agriculture. But plant based organic feeds

why consumers purchase organic products. In

have not closed this protein gap for fast-growing young

1980 IFOAM set out its objective of “providing farm ani-

animals (such as piglets and broilers) and high-yielding

mals with living conditions based on animal welfare and

animals (such as sows and laying hens). The “vegan” diets

an ethical basis” This subsequently became incorporated

for these animals do not contain sufficient essential amino

into the European organic farming standards (as defined in

acids. From the start of 2012, 100% organic feeding will be

834/2007/EC). The reality, however, often differs from this

required by law in the EU, although the problem of how to

aim.

close this gap has not yet been solved.

Hybrid poultry - bred for cages and intensive keeping –

Numerous farm evaluations, carried out under the German

are kept on organic farms and often show severe health and

Federal Organic Scheme (Bundesprogramm Ökologischer

behavioural (including feather pecking and cannibalism) pro-

Landbau) have showed that animal husbandry on many

blems. Male chicks from laying hen populations are often

organic farms is unsatisfactory in terms of both animal wel-

killed instead of fattened. No farm-reared breeds of poultry

fare and production yields. This creates both an economic

or double purpose breeds are used because they do not ful-

and an image risk.

fil the performance and production requirements of farmers. Poultry is still kept in large flocks, often with several thousand animals in one barn.

In pig production, the castration of piglets is an unsolved problem. Conventional pig production has forced the abolition of castration but this is causing problems in organic pig farming as it has an impact on farming practice (i.e. the keeping, feeding and housing of boars), the environment (i.e., the climatic impact of anaesthetics), profitability (i.e. production cost advantages, marketing sacrifices)

How can science help?

Organic Animal Husbandry does not always fulfil its promises

and meat quality (i.e. odour, tenderness, jui-

Organic animal husbandry can be improved through scientific effort, communication and the application of these findings. The main focal points should be animal productivity and welfare, resource efficiency, green house gas mitigation, biodiversity, product quality and, last but not least, profitability. In 2000, the German Government established the Institute of Organic Farming, to develop sustainable and efficient organic farming systems with a focus on animal husbandry. It has a 600

ciness, low intramuscular fat content). Another problem in

ha experimental station with modern laboratories, stables

this sector is the mortality rate of piglets, which is higher in

and equipment, where about 100 staff members, including

organic than in conventional systems.

more than 30 scientists, carry out interdisciplinary research in dairy farming, pig production and keeping goats and

The organic dairy and beef sectors also experience pro-

sheep (Rahman et al 2011)

blems. The removal of horns from beef cattle is still widely practiced on organic farms. The life expectancy of organic

Example 1: Comparison of dairy cow breeds

dairy cows is no higher than in conventional dairy systems

Since 2004 the Institute has been experimenting on its

and the use of animal medications is not significantly less

research farm, comparing the high-yielding German Holstein

(although more natural medications are used). The tethering

dairy cow, which is widely utilized in both conventional and

of cows is still permitted on small organic farms (with less

organic dairy production, with the locally typical German

than 35 cows) and is widely practiced. Milk production is

Rotbunten, an old ‘dual-use’ breed. There is a special barn

still heavily reliant on the use of cereals, the organic ration

with two identical halves, where two herds of 50 animals

can contain up to 40% concentrates: 50% in the high lacta-

each are kept separate, but under the same management

tion phase and, in practice, even more.

conditions in terms of stabling, feeding and milking. We are conducting a long-term study, collecting and compa-

Feeding livestock is one of the most difficult problems. As

ring breed-specific data for numerous criteria, particularly

a consequence of the BSE crisis, omnivores, such as pigs

related to performance and health. We are investigating the

and poultry, have been turned into vegetarians/vegans yet

very high-risk period after calving, when milk production

they are still expected to maintain rapid daily weight gains

increases and it is difficult to provide the dam with all its

(and therefore need a high level of intake of essential amino

calorific requirements. The results showed that the Holstein

acids). While conventional animal husbandry permits the

experienced more metabolic stresses, but that this did not

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

41

Scientific Challenges Scientific support of organic husbandry has already achieved much in the past ten years. Animal research is a long and complex business. The organic animal husbandry research agenda should focus on the following issues.

• Reducing the negative environmental impacts (CO2 emissions, dust, smells, nitrates) from organic animal husbandry.

• Increasing the efficiency of the use of on-farm and local resources.

• Improving animal health and equity.

• Increasing product quality and production output per animal.

Piglet mortality rates are higher in organic systems

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

• Guaranteeing and securing competiveness on global markets.

Solutions can only be found in an interdisciplinary system approach in the context of New Farming System Research and Development (NFSR+D). Much remains to be done, let us press on (Rahmann et al. 2009).

Animal husbandry

necessarily lead to an increased incidence of disease. In

effectiveness of the method was limited by heavy rainfall

terms of udder health – a key issue in dairy farming - the

and better application methods could be developed. Further

Holstein performed better than the Rotbunten. This leads us

research here would be useful.

to question the common assumption that higher productivity is inevitably accompanied by an increased susceptibility

The use of tanniniferous plants (e.g chicory) and plant

to disease and to argue that management plays a critical

extracts (e.g. oak bark) is another possible option in an inte-

role. We recommend that organic farmers choose the breed

grated strategy to control nematodes. Shrubs are an excel-

that best suits them and their operation and to not be dog-

lent source of tannins and other important micronutrients

matic about origin. This does not negate the very strong

for small ruminants and browsing shrubs seems to have

argument for preserving old local breeds in the interest of

positive impacts on animal health and welfare. Yet farmers

biodiversity.

need to select varieties that are well-adapted to local conditions. The Institute is analyzing local shrubs for their growth

Example 2: 100% organic feed for pigs

and their anthelminitic effects on goats and sheep. Recent

The Institute has also studied the ability of pigs to overcome

findings are promising but have not yet been validated for

the problems associated with the amino-acid deficiency

scientific publication. They show the potential of developing

during the initial fattening

new strategies to prevent and

period through later com-

control endoparasites, not only

pensatory growth. This defi-

in organic farming, but also

ciency occurs when 100%

in conventional systems. This

organic feed is used. An

takes time and a lot of effort.

experimental group, which received significantly more

Scientific Challenges

food in the later stages than

Scientific support of orga-

a control group, gained more

nic husbandry has already

weight in the later stages

achieved much in the past ten

with the overall rate of feed

years. Animal research is a long and complex business. The

conversion remaining unaffected. Our results led us conclude that it is possible to

organic animal husbandry research agenda should focus on

achieve economically sustainable growth performance and

the following issues

‘butcher-quality’ pigs with 100% organic rations.

R educing the negative environmental impacts (CO2 emissions, dust, smells, nitrates) from organic animal hus-

Example 3: Biological control of endo-parasites

bandry.

On organic farms, grazing young cattle, sheep and goats

I ncreasing the efficiency of the use of on-farm and local

are vulnerable to infection by gastro-intestinal nematodes.

resources.

This is a major problem for animal health, which is of consi-

I mproving animal health and longevity

derable economic importance. Sub-clinical helminth infec-

I ncreasing product quality and production output per

tions can result in up to a 40% reduction in live weight gain

­animal.

among lambs and a 6-30% reduction in their food intake.

G uaranteeing and securing competiveness on global

Parasitized sheep can suffer a 40% loss in wool production

­markets.

and a 15% decline in milk production. Over the past 30

The solutions can best be found in an interdisciplinary

years parasite control in sheep and goats has been almost

system approach in the context of New Farming System

exclusively achieved by the use of proprietary de-worming

Research and Development (NFSR+D). Much remains to be

drugs (anthelmintics) but nematodes are becoming increa-

done, let us press on.

singly resistant against these drenches.

Laboratory research on D. flagrans has demonstrated the potential of this biological agent to catch the larvae of endoparasites. However, our field trials showed only a limited benefit in feeding D. flagrans to the ruminants and we could not confirm the laboratory results. Quite probably the

Professor Gerold Rahmann is Director of the Institute of Organic Farming at the German Research Centre for Rural Development, Forests and Fisheries (vTI). Details of the Institute’s research programme can be found at its website: www.vti.bund.de Further Reading Rahmann G, Oppermann R, Paulsen HM, Weißmann F (2009) Good, but not good enough? Research and development needs in organic farming. Agriculture and Forestry Research 59(1):29-40.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

43

By Haike Rieks

Production follows traditional methods

ORGANIC BEEKEEPING IN AFRICA

The collapse of bee colonies worldwide has led to a large decrease in honey production in established honey-producing countries. Yet at the same time consumer demand for honey is increasing. This situation creates a potential for African countries that are European Union ‘Third Country Listed’, to supply the EU with natural African honey.

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4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Apiculture

A

dditional value can often easily be obtained through

red to bark hives which require one tree each. Increasingly

organic certification, since much African honey

beekeepers are changing to Kenya Top Bar Hives or com-

is produced in the continent’s large natural forest

mercial box hives. It is widely believed (by NGOs, local far-

areas. However, beekeeping in Africa still largely follows

mers and many others) that these systems can improve the

traditional practices, which are not always durable and

quality and quantity of honey production and their uptake is

beekeeping needs to undergo a transformation to make it

being encouraged in many African countries. However the

more sustainable and commercial.

type of hive has less influence on quality and quantity than good management practices.

Honey production in Africa In most African countries honey is a traditional part of

From traditional to commercial beekeeping

people’s consumption patterns and honey production has

As described above, in many African countries honey pro-

often been practiced in very informal ways. Honey hunting

duction follows traditional methods. In some areas beekee-

was, and in some places still is, a way of obtaining honey

pers work on a small scale with a few traditional or even

for local consumption.

improved hives. In other

Honey hunting involves

areas beekeepers have

destroying the colony,

hundreds of hives, usually

including the brood, to

located in forested areas,

harvest all the honey.

far away from human

This practice is not

populations. In some

sustainable and is not

traditional bee­keeping

recommended, espe-

systems the hives are

cially in the present

hung high in the trees

situation of increasing

making their manage-

demand for honey.

ment almost impossible.

African beekeepers pro-

Often beekeeping is seen

duce small quantities of

as a saving strategy and

honey because of poor

it is rare that all of the

management and their

occupied hives are har-

use of traditional hives.

vested for their honey.

Different types of hives

A change of mentality is

have been developed in

needed towards a more

Africa over time.

commercial approach to

Traditional hives are

beekeeping among both

constructed from local

small and large scale

materials like grass,

beekeepers. At present

mud, wood, clay, bark,

honey production is

logs etc. In northern

generally not seen as a

Uganda, traditional

business that can gene-

hives only have one

rate a good cash income

opening where bees enter. In Zambia most beekeepers use bark hives. The bark is strip-

for the beekeepers such Tradional beekeeping is highly suitable for conversion to organic.

as, say, agricultural cash crops. Yet, despite these issues, traditional

ped from trees and

beekeeping, especially

dried to make it suitable for beekeeping. However, the strip-

in forest areas, is highly suitable for conversion to organic

ping of the trees has a disastrous effect on the trees, which

methods.

do not survive, and contributes to deforestation. For this

Economics of scale are very important in order to cover the

reason Tanzania’s National Beekeeping Policy has banned

costs of organic certification. Organic certification is only

the use of bark hives. People are allowed to use log hives,

economically feasible when large quantities of honey can be

which also damage trees but the Beekeeping Department in

certified and marketed in what is a highly specialized mar-

the Ministry of Natural Resources and Development points

ket, where most of the demand is in the west. This means

out that several hives can be made from one tree compa-

that companies or cooperatives interested in organic certi-

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

45

Apiculture

fication need to think about scaling-up production volumes

reason why organic beekeeping is preferred in forested

and doing this through increasing the number of hives per

areas, where no such contamination can take place.

beekeeper instead of increasing the number of bee­keepers

Pests and diseases in beekeeping in Africa are still limited,

and through improving hive management. This brings

although they do exist. The extensive beekeeping practices

us back to the change in mentality needed to stimulate

means that pests are not as prevalent as they are in Europe.

beekeepers to see beekeeping as a business venture.

External inputs, such as medicine or antibiotics, are generally

When talking about commercial beekeeping one should

not used in African beekeeping.

first of all look at the markets. Marketing in most African

Uganda is a country with a large honey production poten-

countries is largely at the local or national level. Often honey

tial. It is estimated to currently produce between 100,000 -

commands a high price locally that can easily compete with

200,000 metric tons per year. Most of this is sold on the local

the worldmarket prices. For example in Tanzania honey

market and there are no export records of honey or other hive

prices range from US$ 3-6 per litre. In such cases it is

products. Estimates suggest that the country has the poten-

economically more interesting to supply local and national

tial to export over 500,000 metric tons of honey per year.

market with honey before looking further afield. Under such circumstances it is only interesting to export honey to the

Challenges for organic certification

EU if honey production exceeds the national and regional

To gain organic certification through group certification an

demand. Moreover, not all African countries are able to

Internal Control System (ICS) needs to be developed and

export honey to the EU, as they lack a reliable Residue

functional. This means that field staff need to be trained

Monitoring Plan. Since June 2010 (under the amended

in organic beekeeping and beekeepers need to registered,

annex to Decision 204/432/EC) only five African countries

contracted and inspected. Setting up and maintaining an

are able to export honey to the EU; Cameroon, Ethiopia,

ICS needs expertise and can be taken on by professional

Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

staff within a company.

Sometimes the hives will need to be adjusted or replaced

The potential for organic honey production

so that they conform to the types permitted in organic

The changes required to shift from producing natural honey

beekeeping. Usually these adjustments are rather small. A

to certified organic honey are substantial and should be

bigger challenge is encouraging beekeepers to manage their

assessed if considering organic certification. They involve

beehives properly. Such management is limited in traditional

changes in the organization of the supply chain and in indi-

systems, as beekeepers do not always have access to their

vidual management practices. The most important aspects

hives often because of their location (very far away, some-

are high quality and large volumes. Only three of the five

times over 80 km from their home area, or in natural game

African countries that are able to export to the EU currently

reserves where access is limited, or hives are hanging high

produce and export certified organic honey (Zambia, Ethio-

in trees etc.).

pia and Cameroon). Organic certification for beekeeping is

The largest challenge exporters might face is the marketing

often best done by means of group certification and this is

of organic honey in the EU or USA. The quality demands

most easily obtained when beekeeping is done in forested

of honey importers are increasing yearly. Discussions with

areas with limited or no agricultural production. Cameroon

importers at Biofach 2011 revealed that they require honey

has the most wild harvested area in Africa (6 million hecta-

with HMF (hydroxymethylfurfural, - an indication for over

res in 2009) which includes, but is not limited, to beekee-

heating and freshness) values of below six. With the high

ping (and is ranked third in the world in terms of the size of

temperatures in most of the African countries it would be

its organic wild harvesting area). As most African countries

difficult or even unrealistic to deliver honey with these levels.

have large areas of natural forests, organic beekeeping is an

Realistic values for tropical honey would be between 15 and

economic opportunity worth exploring. In organic export-

20. Another aspect is the crystallization of honey: most Afri-

oriented beekeeping it is essential to train beekeepers in

can honey consumed locally crystallizes easily. It is difficult

proper harvesting techniques to achieve the high quality of

to find a market in the EU for honey that contains crystals.

honey demanded by foreign markets.

If and when these different challenges can be overcome

The spread of GMOs in Africa is still limited, although field

Africa has a huge potential to produce organic honey, which

trials are taking place in many countries. Contamination with

could find a place on the international stage.

GM pollen can easily occur if, for instance, GM maize is planted near to hives. GM maize, soybeans and cotton are grown in Egypt, South Africa and Burkina Faso and might spread throughout Africa, if no care is taken. This is another

46

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Haike Rieks has over 15 years experience in Southern and Eastern Africa working on sustainable and organic agriculture.

She now runs a consultancy (Social Environmental Business in Agriculture –SEBA) on organic/fair-trade agriculture and beekeeping based in Moshi, Tanzania.

BREEDING SQUARE ORGANICSEEDS.NL AT BIOVAK 2012, TRADE FAIR FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, NATURE AND FOOD QUALITY

On an attractive and convenient Breeding Square with a large number of companies, many Dutch nurseries and traders in the plant sector show their varieties, which are of great importance to the national and international organic market.

The Dutch nurseries and traders produce organic propagating material including the following crops: Vegetables (covered and open cultivation): Leaf vegetables, tomatoes, sweet peppers, carrots, beetroots, cabbage crops, cucumbers, pumpkins; Arable crops: potatoes, sowing onions, set onions, shallots, garlic, cereals, grasses; Medicinal herbs; Fodder crops; Green manuring crops; Fruits: Apples, pears; Soft fruit; Parkland trees and avenue trees; Shrubs; Ornamental plants: Tulip bulbs, flowers, garden plants.

Workshops: We would like to invite you to join the workshops. Especially since both days of the BioVak workshops are scheduled to form new visions in which your participation and input are important. For example on how to get in the future the right varieties at the right farms. In order to obtain the highest yields in balance with nature we need more diversity, possibly even for each farmer his own selection of plant varieties.

Plant varieties which are well adapted to the local circumstances and give the best food for the local people. Organicseeds.nl is working on an approach in this field.

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WEDNESDAY 18 AND THURSDAY 19, JANUARY, 2012 IJSSELHALLEN - ZWOLLE THE NETHERLANDS - 30 MINUTES FROM AIRPORT AMSTERDAM www.biovak.nl You are cordially invited!

Organicseeds.nl De Welle 48 8939 AT Leeuwarden The Netherlands Bertus Buizer T. +31 (0) 582990530 E. info@organicseeds.nl

JAPAN

THE ORGANIC SECTOR AND the AFTERMATH OF THE EARTH QUAKE

By Heinz Kuhlmann

Text please

The accidents at several Japanese nuclear power plants, which occurred in the wake of the tsunami and earthquake, resulted in widespread radiation and the contamination of a large area of agricultural land. One effect of this has been to increase consumer awareness and the demand for safe and healthy organic products.

BY Heinz Kuhlmann

48

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

country report

MANY FARMERS HAVE SUFFERED GREAT LOSSES

T

he demand for organic products in Japan is

not too distant future. There is growing concern among

still modest, although the Japanese market is

both producers and consumers about safe food and

the largest in Asia and has a large potential,

reliable sources of raw materials.

especially if natural non-food products are included.

According to recent surveys and estimates the current

Whereas organic products used to only be available in

total volume of domestic and imported organic pro-

small and specialized stores they are now becoming

ducts is over 150 billion Yen (approx. 1.3 billion US$).

increasingly available in chain stores and supermarkets.

The market for ‘green food’, which is grown with fewer

This trend is gradually spreading from stores in affluent

agro-chemicals is much larger and estimated at around

central districts, to the suburbs and other areas, where

600 billion Yen. Impressive though these figures are,

ordinary people shop. Some high-end supermarkets,

they represent only a fraction of the total market for

such as Kinokuniya, now have more than 200 (domestic

food and beverages.

and imported) organic products on the shelves.

The demand and market for organic products in Japan

Organic JAS

has grown more slowly than in Western and some

A major reason for the slow development of the orga-

other Asian countries. The major obstacles are a limited

nic market in Japan is the general lack of awareness

range and variety of available products and compara-

about organic products among Japanese consumers.

tively high prices. With a few exceptions organic pro-

Ten years after its introduction Organic JAS is still not

ducts, whether domestically produced or imported, are

widely known.

2-3 times more expensive than conventional ones. This

The Japanese certification system ‘Organic JAS’ was

is similar to other Asian countries and quite different

introduced in 2001, when the first BioFach Japan was

from Europe and North America where the price gap

held and is mainly based on EU standards. Japan and

is much smaller and organic products are affordable

the EU held many meetings to discuss equivalence

for people with an average income. This situation will

status, and in May 2010 Japan was finally added as

only change if and when major food companies and

the eighth country on the EU list of third countries

retailers offer a larger variety of organic products. There

whose organic certification and regulatory programmes

are already some indications that this will happen in the

are seen as equivalent to the EU Organic Regulation.

ECOLOGY & FARMING | 4-2011

49

country report

Equally Japan, more or less, accepts organic products

Around 25,000 people were killed and almost 500,000

certified according EU regulations. However, such

people lost their homes and nearly 120,000 are still

products are still subject to Organic JAS regulations,

living in temporary shelters. The estimated damage and

before they can be sold on the market, a process which

rebuilding costs are 25 trillion Yen, around 300 billion

is time-consuming and expensive.

US$. Rebuilding, which is going ahead at full speed, will require much effort, money and will take a long

Some organic products which can be certified and sold

time. Assistance and support is being provided by the

as organic in other countries are not yet covered by

government, many Japanese and international organiza-

Organic JAS. These include fish and marine products

tions, NGOs and private individuals. IFOAM/IFJ is also

and many ‘organic wild collection’ products. Organic

participating in these efforts with several programmes

wine, sake and other alcoholic beverages cannot carry

and projects for organic farmers.

the ‘Organic JAS’ label for tax reasons, even though the ingredients, such as rice or grapes, can be certified.

Most people abroad were (and are still) not aware that

IFOAM Japan (IFJ), in cooperation with a team of

the damage, risk and potential danger is limited to

experts, has conducted an extensive survey about the

Fukushima and neighbouring prefectures, and that there

Japanese organic market. The results were published

was little damage or loss of life in the Tokyo area and

last summer (in Japanese). In the global context Japan

prefectures further south. This is having serious nega-

is ready for organics. The future of organic products

tive effects on Japan’s tourism trade and has deterred

mainly depends on the choice of consumers. The

many business people from travelling to participate in

IFOAM report illustrates consumers’ opinions and prefe-

trade fairs and other events. Most embassies issued

rences, the degree of cooperation between agriculture,

statements in April saying that there was no danger to

trade and industry on one hand and administration,

human health in the Tokyo region and further south and most foreign residents and many students have returned to these

‘IFJ’s report shows Japan is ready for organics and explores the measures needed to make this a reality’.

areas. damage to agriculture Many farmers in the Tohoku region have suffered great losses and/or lost everything. Farmers are also facing heavy losses from

research institutes and private enterprises on the other.

boycotts and bans on their produce. Growing domestic

This organic market research project has the aim of

and international unease about radioactivity has led to

identifying potential political measures to enlarge the

bans on the sale of products from the affected region.

organic market and the potential for developing a social

Many farmers will lose this year’s harvest, and those

movement. IFJ and other experts have prepared the

evacuated will not be able to return for many years.

first comprehensive English report of the Japanese

Despite this there are already plans to grow oil seeds,

organic market. The report is based on the Japanese

such as sun flowers and rape, which also absorb cae-

version plus an appendix with additional articles, infor-

sium and can be used as bio fuels.

mation and an article about the earthquake disaster in March and its aftermath.

More than most other nations Japan has experienced and overcome many natural and man-made catastrop-

Triple Disaster

hes: volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, typ-

In the afternoon of March 11, 2011 a series of powerful

hoons, nuclear bombs and minor (and recently major)

earthquakes, up to a magnitude of 9 on the Richter

damage to atomic power plants. With combined effort,

Scale, hit the Tohoku region in north-eastern Japan. A

including support from foreign countries and experts,

subsequent huge tsunami caused serious damage to

Japan will recover and rebuild and also learn from the

the coastal area and the nuclear power facilities located

disaster.

in Fukushima. The combination of these tragedies has been one of the worst disasters in Japan’s history.

50

4-2011 | ECOLOGY & FARMING

Heinz Kuhlmann is NürnbergMesse’s representative in Japan.

OCTOBER - december 2011 //

SEPTEMBER 21-24th, 2011 Bio Balkan Expo 2011 Belgrade, Serbia www.alexpo.co.rs SEPTEMBER 22-24th, 2011 BioFach America 2011 Baltimore, USA www.biofach-america.com SEPTEMBER 26th OCTOBER 5th, 2011 17th Organic World Congress 2011, and the 2011 IFOAM General Assembly (GA).

Gyeonggi Paldang, South Korea See article on page 32. www.kowc2011.org OCTOBER 1th-15th, 2011 The Right2Know March: 500km

from the UN Headquarters in New York to the White House in Washington DC. See article on page 8. www.right2knowmarch.org OCTOBER 3-5th, 2011 IFOAM General Assembly 2011 Gyeonggi Paldang, South Korea www.ifoam.org/GA2011 OCTOBER 5-7th, 2011 BioFach America Latina 2011 Sao Paulo, Brazil www.biofach-americalatina.com NOVEMBER 1-3rd, 2011 BioFach Japan 2011 Tokyo, Japan www.biofach-japan.com

Calen dar Items NOVEMBER 30th DECEMBER 2nd, 2011 AgriPro Asia Expo and AgriConference Asia 2011 Hong Kong, China www.agriproasia.com DECEMBER 5-7th, 2011 Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo 2011 Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.naturalproductme.com DECEMBER 14-16th, 2011 BioFach India 2011, Mumbai, India www.biofach-india.com

Our organic seeds grow your success Rijk Zwaan is a world-leading specialist in creating high-quality vegetable varieties; also for the organic market. We do this through innovative research & development, led by the needs of our customers. It is our aim to be a knowledgeable, collaborative partner, with infinite respect for the environment. Rijk Zwaan. www.rijkzwaan.com

423797RZW_adv187x126.indd 1

Ecology & Farming is a magazine for all elements of the organic movement - from organic farmers’ associations to organizations from the organic food industry and Fair Trade; from research institutions to certifiers; from organic consumers to organic advocates. Eco-logy & Farming provides information on key issues in the organic sector and offers the space for discussions on the topics of the day. The articles published in Ecology & Farming reflect the opinions of their respective authors and should not be interpreted as an official IFOAM position.

IFOAM The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements is the umbrella organization for the organic movement. Established in 1972, IFOAM has over 800 affiliates in more than 100 countries. and represents the common interests of the organic movement based on the principles of organic agriculture (ecology, health, fairness, care).

IFOAM’s mission is to lead, assist and unite the organic movement in its full diversity.

Peter Brul has been working in the organic sector as a farmer, researcher and consultant for more than 35 years. He combines the role of Chief-Editor of Ecology & Farming with his own consultancy.

The Van Westering Groep B.V. have been publishing magazines since 1988. VWG also maintains a focus on ecology through Ekoland, the professional magazine for organic farming in the Netherlands and Belgium and Gezond Bouwen & Wonen, a professional magazine about sustainable building and living.

03-02-11 09:17

CONTACT Publisher Jaap van Westering Editorial staff Peter Brul (editor in chief) Denise Godinho Nick Parrott Contributors to this issue Authors & photos: Stefan Bogdanov, Ulrich Broeker, Peter Brul, Jennifer Chang, Dong-Geun Choi, Peter Gänz, Salvador Garibay, Anita Idel, Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, Yvonne Kresinger, Gila Kriegisch, Heinz Kuhlmann, Gerold Rahmann, Haike Rieks, Klaus Strüber, Stephen Turner, Rémy Vandame Editorial office P.O.Box 696, 3740 AP Baarn, The Netherlands T +31 35 88 735 31 F +31 35 54 241 19 E p.brul@ecologyandfarming.com W www.ecologyandfarming.com

Lay-out Vilarrica bv, Baarn, The Netherlands Maurice Spithoven (design) Annemieke Praamstra Advert acquisition Van Westering Groep bv Baarn, The Netherlands T +31 35 88 735 31 Subscriber administration P.O.Box 696 3740 AP Baarn, The Netherlands E subscriptions@ ecologyandfarming.com W www.ecologyandfarming.com Subscription Annual fee (2011), frequency of 6 x per year: Companies € 120 NGO’s € 90 IFOAM members can get a reduction of 50% Print er Drukkerij van Amerongen, The Netherlands FSC certified

Ecology and Farming is published by Van Westering Groep bv, Netherlands, under the auspices of IFOAM

International Standard for Forest Garden Products (FGP)

Africa

OFDC Organic Standard, China IBOAA Standards, Israel Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Standard, Japan

Turkey Organic Regulation

BioSuisse Standards, Switzerland

Tunisia Organic Regulation

MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines

Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and Herzegovina

East African Organic Products Standard

CONU Organic Standard, South Korea

Nature & Progrès Standards, France

EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya

DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea

BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany

Basic Norms of Organic Agriculture in Senegal, SenegalRegulation Israel Organic Afrisco for Organic Production, Japan Standards Organic Regulation South Africa Green Growers Association AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted Standard, South Africa GLOBAL Herbals, Armenia TancertGLOBAL Organic Standards, Tanzania

GOAA International Standards, South Korea

Ecoland Standards, Germany OIA GäaOrganic Private Standards, Standards, Argentina Germany Bolicert Private Standards, Bolivia Naturland Standards, Germany

’s Organic - Worldwide.

That’s Organic -- Worldwide.

That’s Organic Worldwide.

That’s Organic - Worldwide.

ACT Standards, Thailand Europe

Cana

USA O

DOAM

Red M Orgán

CCOF

Farm

Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand NOFA EU Organic IBD Organic Basic Guidelines, Brazil Vietnam PGS Regulation Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Standards of Organic OIA O Israel OrganicOrganic Regulation Production, Hungary Switzerland Regulation Europe OIA O Israel Organic Regulation Europe Bolice Japan Organic Regulation CCPB Global Standard, Italy Turkey Organic Regulation OFDC Organic Standard, China den UgandaGLOBAL OIA O Bolic Th JapanOrganic Organic Regulation North America Organic Certification Private Israel Regulation Oceania Europe IFOAM Ltd. Standard EU Organic Regulation IBDallO Italian Organic Standard, Italy AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted Standards, Uganda IFOAM IBOAA Standards, Israel Standard EU Organic Regulation Bolic IBD O Japan Organic Regulation BioSuisse Standards, AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted Switzerland Organic Regulation Herbals, Armenia ABDP-Demeter Plant Breeding Standard Standard for Organic and Bioorg Canada Organic Regulation Standard EU Organic Regulation Japan Organic Plant & IFOAM Natural Foods Association National Switzerland Organic Regulation Switzerland Herbals, Armenia ABDP-Demeter Breeding Standard IBD O AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted Dynamic Produce, Australia Turkey Organic Regulation OFDC Organic Standard, China bas International Standard for Forest Garden Standard, Japan USA Organic Regulation Switzerland Organic Regulation Asia Turkey Organic Regulation Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and Herbals, Armenia OFDC Organic Standard, China ABDP-Demeter Plant Breeding Standard International for Forest Garden Latin America Products (FGP)Standard New Zealand Organic Export Regulation Co Standards, Israel MASIPAG(FGP) Organic Standards, The Philippines IBOAA Herzegovina Products BioSuisse Standards, Turkey Organic Organic Regulation DOAM Standards, Dominica OFDC Organic Standard, China IBOAA Standards, Israel International Standard for Forest Garden of Australian Certified Organic Standard, BioSuisse Standards, Cana Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Argentina Organic Switzerland CONU Organic Nature & Progrès Standards, France Regulation Products (FGP) Standard, South Korea Africa Australia sta Cana IBOAA Standards, Israel Foods Association Red Mexicana Japan Organic de Tianguis y Mercados Switzerland Saudi Arabia Organic Standard, Japan& Natural BioSuisse Standards, USA Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and DCOK,Africa LLC Regulation International Standards, South Korea NASAA BioParkOrganic e.v Private Standards, Germany Standard, Japan Costa Rica Organic Regulation Orgánicos’, Mexico areO Standard, Australia Cana Japan Organic & Natural Foods USA Switzerland Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and MASIPAG Organic Standards, TheAssociation Philippines Herzegovina Tunisia Organic Regulation Africa DOAM GOAA International Standards, South Korea AsureQuality Ecoland Standards, Germany Standard, Japan MASIPAG Organic Standards, Philippines Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina Herzegovina Tunisia Organic Regulation CCOF Global Market Access Standard, USA Organic Standard,The New Zealand China Organic Regulation USA O DOAM Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and CONU Organic Standard, South Korea Nature & Progrès Standards, France East African Organic Products Standard ACT Standards, Thailand Red M Gäa Private Standards, Germany MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines CONU Organic Standard, South Korea Herzegovina Nature & Progrès Standards, France Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina East African Organic Products Standard Tunisia Organic Regulation BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand India Organic Regulation FarmOrganic Verified Organic Private Standards, USA DOAM Standards, Argentina GLOBAL Israel Organic Organic Standards, RegulationKenya RedIsM DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea OIA BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany Europe EnCert Orgán , Sawang Boran Silk Products Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany CONU Organic Standard,Standards, South Korea DCOK, LLC International South Korea Bolicert Nature & Progrès Standards, France East African Organic Standard BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya OrgáJ NOFA Standards for OrganicBolivia Land Care, USA Red Private Standards, Japan Organic Regulation GOAA InternationalGLOBAL Standards, South Korea OIA Ecoland Standards, Germany Basic Norms Organic Agriculture in CCOFM Israel Organic Regulation Organic Standards, Argentina Israel Organic Regulation Vietnam PGSof Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic DCOK, LLC International Standards, SouthKorea Korea GOAA International Standards, South IFOAM Standard BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany Ecoland Standards, Germany EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya Europe Orgán EU Organic Regulation Basic Norms of Organic Agriculture in CCOF IBD Organic Guidelines, Brazil Senegal, Senegal A standards are marked in Germany grey.

Family Standards Fra * Compliance with the Guideline IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFOAM Community of Best Practice. Note: Applicant AncientHerbals for Wild Crafted ACT Standards, Thailand Gäa Private Standards, Production, Hungary Japan Organic Regulation Farm Private Standards, Bolivia Senegal, Senegal JapanNorms Organic Regulation GOAA International Standards, South Korea Bolicert ACT Standards, Thailand Ecoland Standards, Germany Gäa Private Standards, Germany H Switzerland Organic Regulation GLOBAL Basic of Organic Agriculture in Israel Organic Regulation ABDP-Demeter Plant Breeding Standard CCOF Herbals, Armenia Farm Europe Afrisco Standards for Organic Production, IFOAM Standard Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Naturland Standards, Germany CCPB Global Standard, Italy Thailand EU Organic Regulation NOFA AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Cra Afrisco Standards for Organic Production, IBD Organic Guidelines, Brazil Senegal, Senegal ACT Standards, Thailand The Family of Standards contains AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted South Africa Green Growers Association Gäa Private Standards, Germany Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Japan Organic Regulation Oceania O Turkey Organic Regulation International Standard for Forest Garden Farm OFDCAfrica Organic Standard, China NOFA den South OIA Organic Standards, Argentina North America Green Association Israel Organic Vietnam PGSABDP-Demeter Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic Herbals, Armenia Plant Breeding Standard Italian Organic Standard, Italy Switzerland Organic Regulation Standard, South Africa Europe Herbals, Armenia all standards officially endorsed as Afrisco Standards forGrowers OrganicRegulation Production, IFOAM Standard Products (FGP) EU Organic Regulation Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic IB Standard, South Africa AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Production, Crafted IBOAA Standards, Israel HungaryPrivate Standards, Bolivia NOFA Bolicert South Africa Green Growers Association Japan Organic Regulation National Standard for Organic and BioBioSuisse Standards, OFDC Standard, China organic by theOrganic Organic Movement, International Standard for Forest Garden Tancert Organic Standards, Tanzania Turkey Organic Regulation Production, Hungary OFDC Organic Standard, China den Switzerland Organic Regulation Herbals, Armenia ame_ August 2011.indd 1 North America ABDP-Demeter Plant Breeding Standard Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic J Tancert Standards, Tanzania Canada Organic Regulation Standard, South Africa Dynamic Produce, Australia Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association CCPB Global Standard, Italy Standard EU Organic Regulation Switzerland Products (FGP) based on their equivalence withBrazil the IBD Organic Guidelines, Africa Th IBOAA Standards, Israel AncientHerbals Guideline Uganda Organic Certification Ltd. Private for Wild Crafted Oceania Production, Hungary CCPB Global Standard, Italy IBOAA Standards, Israel Standard S Turkey Organic Regulation Standard, Japan OFDC Organic Standard, China International for Forest Garden Th Latin America BioSuisse Standards, Uganda Organic Certification Ltd. Private Tancert Organic Standards, Tanzania New Zealand Organic Export Regulation Oceania Common Objectives andItaly Requirements USA Organic Regulation Italian Organic Standard, Switzerland Organic Regulation Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and Standards, Uganda Herbals, Armenia all ng Standard Japan Organic & Natural Foods Associa Canada Organic Regulation CCPB Global Standard, Italy Products (FGP)Foods Italian Standard, Italy Japan Organic & Natural Association Standards, Uganda M Switzerland all MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines National Tunisia Organic Regulation IBOAA Africa Standards, Israel Herzegovina of Organic Standards.

Both private Th Uganda Organic Certification Ltd. Private Standard Organic and BioAustralian Certified OrganicStandard, Standard, Oceania DOAM Organic Standards, Dominica Standard, Japan Turkeyfor Organic Regulation BioSuisse Standards, org OFDC Organic China Forest Standard, Garden Japan Argentina Organic Regulation North America National Standard for Organic and Bioorg Italian Organic Standard, Italy USA Organic Regulation Standards, Uganda Australia Dynamic Australia standards government regulations Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and allC East Africanand Organic Products Standard CONU Organic Standard, South Korea Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Nature &Produce, Progrès Standards, France bas Switzerland MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philipp Dynamic Produce, Australia Red Mexicana de Tianguis y Mercados IBOAA Standards, Israel Africa Tunisia Organic Regulation Asia MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines ba Herzegovina Costa Rica Organic Regulation National Standard for Organic and BioStandard, Japan org Latin America are admissible.

BioSuisse Standards, NASAA Organic Standard, Australia New Zealand Organic Export Regulation DOAM Organic Standards, Dominica Co DCOK,Asia LLC International Standards, South Korea EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia anD Orgánicos’, Mexico Latin America CONU Organic Standard, South Korea New Zealand Organic Export Regulation Dynamic Produce, Australia Co Canada Organic Regulation East African Organic Products Standard Organic Natural Foods Association Switzerland CONU OrganicJapan Standard, South&Korea bas Nature & Progrès Standards, France of Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines Herzegovina AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand Australian Certified Organic Standard, Tunisia Organic Regulation G Red Mexicana de yAgriculture Mercados GOAAAsia International Standards, Ecoland Standards, Germany Basic Norms ofTianguis Organic in Standard, Japan South Korea New ofK CCOF Global Market Access Standard, USA South Latin America Argentina Organic Regulation Australian Certified Organic Standard, Zealand Organic Export Regulation DCOK, LLC International Standards, Co USA Organic Regulation EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya Australia sta Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany Saudi Arabia Organic Orgánicos’, Mexico Organic Standard, South Korea Argentina Letis IFOAMCONU Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, NewProducts ZealandStandardAustralia Senegal,Organic Senegal NatureRegulation & Progrès Standards, France sta East African Organic www.ifoam.org/ogs A ACT Standards, Thailand Gäa Private Standards, Germany MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines of Saudi Arabia Organic Herzegovina Farm Organic PrivateStandards, Standards, USASouthare CostaVerified Rica Organic Regulation Australian Certified Organic Standard, GOAA International Standards, Ko Regulation NASAA Organic Standard, Australia DOAM Organic Dominica GOAA International Standards, South Korea Basic Norms of Organic Agriculture in Ecoland Standards, Germany Argentina Organic Regulation DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea Afrisco Standards for Organic Production, CCOF Global Market Access Standard, USA Costa Rica Organic Regulation BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany , are Regulation EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya NASAA Organic Standard, Australia Australia S sta Sawang Boran SilkArabia Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany CONU Organic Standard, South Korea AsureQuality Saudi Organic Nature & Progrès Standards, Standard Senegal, Senegal NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care,yUSA Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina ACTGreen Standards, Thailand Organic Standard, New ZealandFrance South Africa Growers Association China Organic Regulation ACT Standards, Thailand Red Mexicana de Tianguis Mercados Gäa Private Standards, Germany GOAA International Standards, South Korea Costa Rica Organic Regulation Farm Verified Organic Private Standards, USA Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina Ecoland Standards, Germany are Regulation AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand Organic Standard, Australia China Organic Regulation Basic Norms of Organic Agriculture inNASAA V Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic Standard, South DCOK, Standards, South Korea Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey.

Family Standards Frame: August 11, Africa 2011. rt of theIndia IFOAM Community ofLLC BestInternational Practice.

Afrisco Standards for Organic Production, BioPark e.v Private Standards, Germany enya Orgánicos’, Mexico Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand Organic Regulation Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Senegal, Senegal ACT Standards, Thailand Production, Hungary Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina Gäa Private Standards, Germany NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, USA Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina South Africa Green Growers AssociationTancert Organic Standards, Tanzania BioGro Standards, NewNew Zealand India Organic Regulation AsureQuality Organic Zealand China OrganicGOAA Regulation International Standards, South KoreaOrganic EcolandStandard, Standards, Germany culture in CCOF Global Access Standard, US Vietnam PGS Market Standards, Vietnam Standard, South Africa Afrisco Standards for Organic Production, Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic CCPB Global Standard, Italy Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand India Organic Regulation Uganda Organic Certification Ltd. Private The Family of Standards contains ACT Standards, Thailand Gäa Private Standards, Germany Oceania South Africa Green Growers Association Production,Tancert Hungary Farm Verified Organic Private Standards, Organic Standards, Tanzania OIAstandards Organic are Standards, Argentina Standards, Uganda Italian Organic Standard, Italy Note: Applicant marked in grey.endorsed Familyas Standards Israel Organic Regulation * Compliance with the IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFOAM Community of Best Vietnam PGSPractice.

Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of OrganicFra all standards officially Europe Standard, South Africa c Production, Sawang Boran Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Note:Ltd. Applicant standards are marked in grey.

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CCPB Global Standard, NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, Uganda Certification Private Production, Hungary NU Oceania Bolicert Private Standards, Bolivia The Family of Standards contains National Standard for Organic and Bio22.08.1 Association organic by the Organic Movement, Japan Organic Regulation Oceania Tancert Organic Standards, Tanzania Standards, Uganda Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey.

Family Standards Fra D * Compliance with the IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFOAM Community of Best Practice.

Italian Organic Standard, Italy Dynamic Produce, Australia standards endorsed as EU Organic Regulation CCPB Global Standard, Italy based on theirofficially equivalence with the IBDall Organic Guidelines, Brazil Asia AncientHerbals Guideline for Wild Crafted Uganda Organic Certification Ltd. Private Production, Hungary Oceania National Standard for Organic and BioNational Standard for Organic and BioLatin America N organic the Organic Organic Movement, New Zealand Organic Export Regulation TanzaniaHerbals, CommonbyObjectives and Standard, Requirements Switzerland Organic Regulation Italian Italy Standards, Uganda Dynamic Produce, Australia DynamicArmenia Produce, Australia CCPB Global Standard, Italy based on their equivalence with the Standards. private containsA The Family Both of Standards Australian Organic Standard, ame_Private August 2011.indd 1 Certified Oceania Asia Ltd. National Standard for Organic and Bio-of Organic Turkey Organic Regulation OFDC Organic Standard, ChinaRegulation New Zealand Export RegulationA en Argentina Organic Regulation Latin America ame_ August 2011.indd 1 Organic North New Zealand Export Common Objectives andOrganic Requirements Italian Organic Standard, Australia standards and government regulations allAmerica standards officially endorsed a Saudi Arabia Organic Dynamic Produce, AustraliaItaly IBOAA Standards, Israel Australian Certified Organic Asia of Organic Standards.

Both privateStandard, Costa RicaBioSuisse Organic Regulation Regulation ame_ August 2011.indd 1Certified National Standard for Organic and BioAustralian Organic Standard, are admissible. organic by the Organic MovemenN NASAA Organic Standard, Australia Standards, Latin America New Zealand Organic Export Regulation Argentina Organic Regulation Australia Australia Dynamic Produce, Australia Saudi Arabia Organic standards and government regulations Canada Organic Regulation Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Switzerland based on their equivalence with th Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina A Regulation AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand Australian Certified Organic Standard, China Organic Regulation NASAA Organic Standard, Australia Costa Rica Organic Regulation Standard, Japan Latin America are admissible.

Argentina Organic Regulation NASAA Organic Standard, New ZealandAustralia Organic Export Regulation Common Objectives and Requirement USA Organic Regulation Organska Kontrola Standards, Bosnia and Australia B India Organic Regulation Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand Saudi Arabia Organic www.ifoam.org/ogs AsureQuality Organic Standard, Newprivat Zeala China Organic Regulation MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines of Rica Organic Standards.

Both Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina Herzegovina AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand Australian Certified Organic Standard, Costa Organic Regulation Regulation NASAA Organic Standard, AustraliaDOAM Organic Standards, Dominica Argentina Organic Regulation Australia standards andStandards, government regulation BioGro Organic New Zealand India Organic Regulation CONU Standard, South Korea Organic Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina Nature & Progrès Standards, France BioGroOrganic Organic New Zealand www.ifoam.org/ogs Organic Standard, Argentina AsureQuality Organic Standard, NewRed Zealand ChinaStandards, Organic Regulation MexicanaArgencert deare Tianguis y Mercados Costa Rica Organic Regulation admissible.

NASAA Organic Standard, Australia * Compliance with the IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFO Note: Applicant standards are marked inArgentina grey. Germany Family Standards Frame: August 11, 2011. rt of theDCOK, IFOAMLLC Community of Best Practice.South International Standards, BioPark e.v Private Standards, OIA Organic Standards, Orgánicos’, Mexico Letis IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand India Organic Regulation Korea Europe Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina AsureQuality Organic Standard, Zealand GOAA International Standards, South Korea NewEcoland Germany Bolicert Private Standards, Bolivia CCOF Global Market Access Standard, USA Note: *Standards, Compliance with the IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFOAM of Best Practice.

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Family Standards Frame: August 11, Community 2011. t of the IFOAM Community of Best Practice.

IFOAM Standard, Argentina BioGro Organic Standards, Zealand www.ifoam.org/ ACT Thailand Gäa Private Standards, Germany EUStandards, Organic Regulation IBD Organic Guidelines, Brazil Farm Verified Organic Private Standards, USA afted Family S * Compliance with the IFOAM Standard. ** Part of the IFOAM Community of Best Practice. Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey.

Sawang BoranOrganic Silk Standard, Thailand Naturland Standards, Germany Switzerland Regulation NOFA Family Frame_ AugustStandards 2011.indd 1 for Organic Land Care, USA

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BioSuisse Standards, August 2011.indd 1 ation Family Frame_ Oceania Switzerland

Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey.

Biokontroll Basic Standards of Organic North America Production, Hungary Family Frame_ August 2011.indd 1

CCPB Global Standard, Italy Canada Organic Regulation Italian Organic Standard, Italy

Family Standards Frame: August 11, 2011.

22.08.1

22.08.11

The Family of Standards contains all standards officially endorsed as