Subsections

• • • New label: Organic food nature food, Biokost and Naturproduct
      • The new meaning of "organic food":
      • EU Organic Regulation 834/2007
      • Comparing nutrient levels in organic and conventional foods
      • Quercetrin:
      • Critic of the Benbrook study
      • New definition of organic food and nature food:
      • Definition:
      • Nature food (En), Naturkost (D):
      • Organic Food (En), (Biokost D):
      • Organic milk in USA under fire
      • New method detecting the use of synthetic fertiliser in organic produces
    • Introduction
      • Organic food
    • Organic Food in Europe
    • The Proposal on Organic Food
    • Organic farming
    • Controls
    • Principles applicable to all organic production
    • Principles applicable to organic farming
    • Production of processed organic feed and food
    • General farm production rules
    • Plant production rules
    • Livestock production rules
    • Production rules for feed
    • General rules on the production of processed food
    • Label and advertising claims
    • Certification
    • Imports from third countries
    • Aquaculture
    • International harmonization of organic food - Codex Alimentarius [1616]
      • Harmonisation of different standards to improve trade in organic produces between different regions
    • Global situation of organic farming
    • NOP Standards (7 CFR Part 205)
    • Other special food systems with organic claims
    • The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
    • The IFOAM Principles of Organic Agriculture
    • Other special food systems with organic claims
    • AGÖL regulation for organic animal farming
    • Labelling of organics:
    • Global situation of organic farming
    • Social economic environment
    • Alternative Diets
    • Macrobiotics
    • Water for agriculture
    • Environmental development
    • Other Agricultural Systems
      • Biosaline Agriculture and aquaculture in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region
      • Halophyte plants
      • Seed collection of halophytes for the WANA region
      • Salinity-tolerant sorghum and pearl millet and barley varieties for saline lands:
      • Drip irrigation on raised beds in Bangladesh:
      • Return Water from Prawn farm in Saudi Arabia:
      • Mangroves species:
      • Forage production systems using nonconventional salt-tolerant grasses and highly saline water:
      • Atriplex species under high salinity conditions:
      • Recovering salinity damaged land:
      • Development of sustainable salt-tolerant forages for sheep and goat production:
      • Halophytic grasses:
      • Shrubs and trees:
      • Fodder beet:
      • NyPa Forage grass
      • Agroforestry trial using Acacia ampliceps, Sporobolus arabicus and Paspalum vaginatum at different salinity levels:
      • Date palms:
    • Sustainable agriculture
    • Agroecosystem
    • Campylobacter in organic poultry
      • Organic agriculture and nitrogen fertilizer
    • Recover of natural antioxidants of industrial fruit and vegetable waste
      • Milk from the Himalayas healthier than milk from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets
    • REPCO: Replacement of copper fungicides in organic production of grapevine and apple in Europe
    • Food and ecology
    • Better cheese with corn silage feed milk than from fresh pasture milk [1730]
      • Not enough nutritional evidence to recommend organic foods over other foods
      • No difference between organic foods and conventional foods concerning trace elements and bioavailability
      • No support for conclusion that rats prefer organic feed to conventional ones
      • The Danish government's International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems:
      • The Soil Association in UK:
      • Organic foodstuffs cause differences in health-related biomarkers
      • Organic milk is better during summer compared with conventional milk, but there is no difference when cows are kept indoor
      • Soil Association Standards dept: Airfreight consultation
      • Soil Association air freighted organic food ensures benefits poor farmers
      • The absurd Flybe ecolabel
      • The loophole of organic food air freighting
      • Soil Association mutates organic food to supermarket standards:
      • International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security
      • Summary of outcomes of the Conference
      • Knowledge and labour intensive
      • Definition of organic agriculture
      • Links:
      • Pre-storage treatment reduces scald losses on organic apple
      • New label: Organic food nature food, Biokost and Naturproduct European organic food has mutated to mass production under the EU regulation 2092/91 and 1804/1999.
    • New definition of organic food and nature food
      • Nature food (En), Naturkost (D):
      • Organic Food (En), (Biokost D):
      • Farmers' market, a sustainable solution for small farmers
      • UK farmers' markets
      • US Farmland preservation
      • Farmers' markets in Germany
      • Organic Foods in Canada
      • Organics in Brazil
      • Hen battery cages in UK banned in 2012
      • "Organic food" with GM ingredients
      • EU Organic Regulation 834/2007
      • High quality of meat from animals raised on biodiverse pastures
      • Authentication of organic milk
      • German farmer defeated a marketing giant
      • The Marketing Fund Law (Absatzfondsgesetz)
      • The CMA
      • Critics on CMA
      • CMA accused of sexist slogans
      • Parallels to French movements:

Organic food

New label: Organic food nature food, Biokost and Naturproduct

European organic food hasmutated to mass production under the EU regulation 2092/91 and 1804/1999. [1617] [1618]

The European Commission in their "European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming" states:
"Organic sales through supermarkets are the fastest-growing distribution channel in most markeFor consumers buying organic produce in supermarkets, environmental considerations are thought to be less important, compared to consumers buying produce in specialised organic shops." [1619]

The European organic food regulation clearly demonstrates its commitment to mass production and the supermarkets as distribution channel. This increases monoculture wide fields long transport ways and air freight.

The new meaning of "organic food":

The team of professor Carlo Leifert from the Univesity of Newcastle UK, is running the Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) project with a budget of 18 million Euro of the EU funding in 5 years. So far the team found that organic milk contains higher amounts of vitamin E, and fruits and vegetables have higher levels of vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants as found in non-organic ones [1620] [1621].

Some small studies were held on organic tomatos [1622], Organic peaches had a 4.8 higher polyphenol content at harvest in 2004, whereas the same phenomenon was not observed in 2005 [1623]. Total phenols, vitamin C, total flavones and antioxdant capacity of organic apple pure was found to be higher than that of preserves prepared from conventional apples. However, after pasteurization, the content of vitamin C, total phenols and flavones and antioxidant properties decreased in the apple pure from both agricultural systems (organic and conventional) [1624].

EU Organic Regulation 834/2007

[1625] [1764]
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 is hereby repealed as from 1 January 2009.
The new rules set out a complete set of objectives, principles and basic rules for organic production, and include a new permanent import regime and a more consistent control regime. The use of the EU organic logo will be mandatory, but it can be accompanied by national or private logos. The place where the products were farmed has to be indicated to inform consumers.

Food will only be able to carry an organic logo if at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic. But non-organic products will be entitled to indicate organic ingredients on the ingredients list only. The use of genetically modified organisms will remain prohibited. It will now be made explicit that the general limit of 0.9 percent for the accidental presence of authorised GMOs will also apply to organic products .

The new rules also create the basis for adding rules on organic aquaculture, wine, seaweed and yeasts. The new organic regulation and labelling will come into force in January 2009

The EU followed the pressure of GM companies such as AstraZeneca, BASF Plant Science, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont, Monsanto and Syngenta. The new regulation increases the current threshold for GM contamination of organic food from 0.1 per cent to 0.9 per cent and allowing the use of GM-produced additives for which there is no GM-alternative the new regulation opens the way for genetically modified material to enter organic food.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids: Ellis and colleagues Organic milk had a higher proportion of PUFA to monounsaturated fatty acids and of n-3 FA than conventional milk, and contained a consistently lower n-6:n-3 FA ratio (which is considered beneficial) compared with conventional milk [1627].

Croissant and colleagues measured greater percentages of unsaturated fatty acids, including two common isomers of conjugated linoleic acid, in pasture based milks compared with milk of cattle fed a conventional total mixed ration. Distinct flavour and compositional differences between both types of milk were such that they did not affect consumer acceptance [1628].

The UK Food Standards Agency says that the balance of current scientific evidence does not support the view that organic fruit, vegetable and meat are more nutritious than non-organic foods [1629].

FSA stresses also that milk contains the shorter chain form of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid), while the forms present in oily fish are the long chain fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA)).

Research has shown that the short chain form found in plant and dairy sources does not appear to be as beneficial as those found in oily fish, which have been shown to be protective for cardiovascular disease, and may alsohave beneficial effects on foetal development. Although the shorter form can be metabolised to the longer forms, in humans the conversion appears limited. The FSA, however, will review the scientific literature on nutrients of organic food, which will be released in March 2008. [1630]

The Soil Association tries to set standards for and promote the consumption of organic meat and produces. The Association allows air freight despite the tremendous damage it causes to climate. [12]

Comparing nutrient levels in organic and conventional foods

[1633]
Charles Benbrook and colleagues published in March 2008. a study comparing nutrient levels in organic and conventional foods. The authors used data from scientific studies on published since 1980, including quercetin, kaempferol, total phenolics, antioxidant capacity, ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, vitamin E, potassium, phosphorous, nitrate, and total protein, between organically and conventionally grown food.

In 236 samples of organic and conventional foods, which were equally measured on nutrient content, 61% of the organic samples were claimed to be nutritionally more dense. The organic samples were also said to have higher levels of polyphenols and antioxidants. Overall, across all 236 matched pairs and 11 nutrients, the nutritional premium of the organic foods was on average 25%.

Quercetrin:

Benbrook and colleagues say that organically grown vegetables contained 2.4 times more quercetrin (a precursor of quercetin) than conventionally grown ones. According to the author, quercetin is used by the plant to protect itself from pests and weeds.

The organic samples contained higher concentrations of the very important polyphenols and antioxidants in about three-quarters of the 59 matched pairs representing those four phytonutrients. Increasing intakes of these nutrients is a vital goal to improve public health since daily intakes of antioxidants and polyphenols are less than one-half of recommended levels

Critic of the Benbrook study

[1634]
Dr Joseph Rosen, however, re-open the debate as to whether organic or conventionally produced foods are nutritionally superior. Rosen criticises the study of Benbrook because results which were not statistically significant were included, while other important data were not. Rosen, recalculating data from Bonbrook, found that organic produces were actually 2% more nutritious that the organic produce.

Rosen says that in the studied cases organic vegetables had been sprayed with an organic pesticide which would have increased the plant's production of quercetin. In the study of Benbrook, the nutrie content of kiwi fruit, the skin which is not eaten by the consumer was included.

The American Council on Science and Health say that Dr. Rosen's analysis demonstrates how organic proponents have used misleading and inappropriately-evaluated data to support their agenda to promote organic foods. Charles Benbrook is a consultant for the Organic Trade Association's Organic Center.

New definition of organic food and nature food
The organic food produced according to the EU regulation differs from the original way of production. It becomes necessary to separate the organic food from supermarkets from the original nature food, produced under strict rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of organic associations, like Demeter or follow a holistic way of farming.

New definition of organic food and nature food:

The organic food produced according to the EU regulation differs from the original way of production. It becomes necessary to separate the organic food from supermarkets from the original nature food, produced under strict rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of Rudolf Steiner or follow a holistic way of farming.

Definition:

To make the difference between both types of food the following definition is being suggested:

Nature food (En), Naturkost (D):

Nature food is produced according to rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of other holistic ways of farming. These Foods are sold by the producer itself at its farm, at weekly markets or at nature shops. There competent informations are given concerning the origin of the food. The consumer understands that the higher price of nature products is due to diversification of crops at the farm, a species-appropriate animal raising, and environment conservation.

The nature food farmers and the specialised nature shops should distanciate itself from the words "Organic" or "Biokost" because they have become a domain of supermarkets and have undergone a mutation from the original food.

Organic Food (En), (Biokost D):

Organicfood is produced according to the EU 2092/91 and 1804/1999 regulation. The consumer expects food produced without agrarian chemicals, like herbicides or pesticides. He expects better taste compared with conventional foods. He looks after low priced products. He is concerned with the welfare of his person and does not care about environment. He is not interested to know the food miles and airfreight of the items he buys. Organic food is primarily sold by supermarket chains.

Some reaction of producer and customers have put the Basic chain of organic supermarkets under pressure not to sale its shares to the Swiss Schwarz group, owner of supermarket chain Lidl.

Organic milk in USA under fire

[1632]
Aurora, selling milk under brands which include Costco's Kirkland and Target's Archer Farms in cartons marked "USDA organic," with pictures of pastures or other bucolic scenes, was lawsuited for not being organic at all.

Aurora claims that there is absolutely no basis for claims that the company defrauded consumers by selling milk that isn't organic - none whatsoever. [1635] [1636]

Consumers buy organic food believing it is free of hormones or pesticides and the production protects the environment. Organic products, however, are being sold in such quantities that it is not possible to follow organic rules established by the Organic Foods Production Act 1990 [1637].

The "Harvey Rule", demande stricter rules governing organic milk production. It requires farmers to feed their livestock 100 percent organic grain, compared with the earlier standard of 80 percent organic grain and 20 percent conventional grain. The Harvey Rule went into effect in June 2007 [1638]

But rising corn prices are a problem for organic farmers, because corn farmers see few incentives to go organic because they can make so much money selling their crops to make ethanol.

Meanwhile overproduction of organic milk drives to greater quantities of organic powdered milk, yogurt, ice cream, Omega-3-fortified organic milk and cheeses.

New method detecting the use of synthetic fertiliser in organic produces

[1639]
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. Francisco M. del Amor and colleagues looked to a method to determine to what extent artificial fertilisers have been used, unveiling possible frauds using organic label on conventional products.

The authors found that synthetic fertilizers typically have a $^{15}$N content close to zero and almost all the content of nitrogen is $^{14}$N.

They concluded that the use of synthetic fertilizers significantly reduced the proportion of nitrogen $^{15}$N. This was pronounced in old leaves and fruits where the use of synthetic fertilizer cause a reductions in $^{15/14}$N$_{2}$vsN$_{2}$atm of 24.1and 27.8%, respectively. The also found that no additional fertilization (synthetic or organic) is required before 106 days after transplanting at that dosage because plant fresh weight was not reduced.

Introduction

With the introduction of new seeds of wheat and rice, as well as the use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation Dr. Norman Borlaug started the "Green Revolution" in 1950. The Nobel Peace Price was awarded to him in 1970 for averting famine in India and Pakistan in the 1960s. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides rose the world grain production from 1950 to 1992 by 170 %,using only one percent more land.

	1950	1992	Growth
Grains, million tons	692	1900	174%
Population billions	2.2	5.6	154%
Cropland billion acres	1.70	1.73	1.7%

Another important step in agrarian technology is the development of new strains of wheat that can grow on pastures with a high aluminum content in Brazil, slowing down the cutting of the rain forest.

Despite the protests of environmentalists, Borlaug brought high-yield agriculture to Africa, which still depends on slash-and-burn subsistence farming. Due to his efforts, Ethiopia recorded the greatest harvest of major crops in its history during the 1995-96 season with a 32 percent increase in production and a 15 percent increase in average yield over the previous season.

Despite the benefits of the green revolution other systems are being developed. No system alone can be the answer to the problems feeding the world: All of them allow positive results which can complement one another.

Organic food

Organic food production in large scale started in Europe in 1993 with the subventions of the governments trying to shift from chemical based to a natural agriculture. Austria and Swiss have about 10%f their area covered with organic fields. France plans to change 20% of the direct paid agrarian funds in ecological developing programs.

Organic crop yields
The crop yields of organic farms are much lower as obtained by conventional farming. This means, the prices of these products are higher than conventional prices The difference varies from 20 to 100%. A problem is the low acceptance of the organic products because of their price. As supermarkets started to sell these products, a higher output was possible, resulting in a small price reduction.

Product	Conventional	Organic
	breeding	breeding
Milk/cow/year	4886 litres	4044 litres
Wheat/dt/ha	61 dt/ha	38 dt/ha

Due to the BSE scandal, organic farmers are getting better support from government. Global agriculture leads to a soybean-corn-beef agriculture, producing increasingly processed foods, fast foods and standard foods with higher yields, which are cheaper and less labor intensive.

The demand from consumers for organically produced agricultural products and foodstuffs is increasing; whereas a new market for agricultural products is thus being created with a higher market price as for conventional products because the way in which they are produced involves less intensive use of land.

Unfortunately a great group of consumer buy organic foods only because of their own health. Comparing prices, the positive impact on environment, ecology and conservation of the countryside are not taken into consideration.

Organics in USA, regulations: According to Ronnie Cummins, writing for The Progressive Populisat The USDA is caught in a familiar predicament given the agency's dual role. On the one hand it is set up ostensibly to protect consumers by ensuring a safe food supply and guarantee the economic livelihood of America's farmers, the majority of whom continue to operate small and medium-sized farms. On the other hand, USDA also sees as its role to promote the industrialization and globalization of American agriculture which means working closely with large agribusiness, chemical, and biotechnology corporations. The natural food industry, with its small stores, small family farms, and discriminating consumers, has begun to pose a direct threat to the market share of large-scale agribusiness. [1640]

US regulation [1641]
National Organics Standards Board (NOSB)composed of industry representatives, farmers, environmentalists and food processors. The NOSB, established by the Organic Foods Production Act in 1990, made recommendations to the USDA that explicitly banned genetically engineered foods, irradiation, farming with sewage sludge, and intensive confinement factory farm type animal husbandry practices.

Organic Foods Production Standards regulates the certification of organic producers.

USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 regulates organic foods in USA

European regulation: [1617] [1618]
To create a framework of Community rules on production, labelling and inspection of organic farming, the Council Regulation No 2092/91 EWG on organic production of agricultural products, the No 1804/1999 which includes livestock production, and the No 207/93EEC [1642] were adopted.

Organic farming involving varied cultivation practices and limited use of non-synthetic fertilizers are specified in these regulations. Conditions for the use of certain non-synthetic products are there laid down. Specific provisions are made, aiming to avoid the presence of certain residues of synthetic chemicals from sources other than agriculture (environmental contamination).

Organic production methods entail significant restrictions on the use of fertilizers and pesticides which may have detrimental effects on the environment or result in the presence of residues in agricultural produce. Ingredients for processed organic foods are specified in the regulation.

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.

Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.
The demand from consumers for organically produced agricultural products and foodstuffs is increasing; whereas a new market for agricultural products is thus being created with a higher market price as for conventional products because the way in which they are produced involves less intensive use of land.

Unfortunately a great group of consumer buy organic foods only because of their own health. Comparing prices, the positive impact on environment, ecology and conservation of the countryside are not taken into consideration.

Organic crop yields
The crop yields of organic farms are much lower as obtained by conventional farming. This means, the prices of these products are higher than conventional prices The difference varies from 20 to 100 percent.

A problem is the low acceptance of the organic products because of their price. As supermarkets started to sell these products, a higher output was possible, resulting in a small price reduction.

Organic Food in Europe

In 1991 the Council created with Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 the first ever Community framework for organic farming and food production.

Organic food production in large scale started 1993 in Europe with the subventions of the governments trying to shift from chemical based to a natural agriculture. Austria and Swiss have about 10% of their area covered with organic fields. France plans to change 20% of the direct paid agrarian funds in ecological developing programs.

In 2001, the Council under Swedish Presidency,invited the Commission to propose a European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming (EAP). The Commission adopted the Communication on the EAP in June 2004.

Organic production

Organic production is an overall system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, preservation of natural resources, application of high animal welfare standards and production in line with the preference of certain consumers for products produced using natural substances and processes.

The organic production method thus plays a dual societal role, where it on the one hand provides for a specific market responding to a consumer demand for organic products, and on the other hand delivers public goods contributing to the protection of the environment and animal welfare, as well as to rural development.

The essential requirements defining organic production and labelling of organic products are laid down by the principles and production rules formulated in this proposal.

The Proposal on Organic Food

The proposal covers all organic products.
ExceptionsThe preparation and sale to the final consumer of meals in large scale kitchens; for example in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and canteens, or in bars and coffee shops are not covered by the Proposal.

The EU logo should continue to be available on all products that comply with the Regulation, including for all imported products.

GMO's: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and products produced from or by GMOs are incompatible with the concept of organic production and consumers' perception of organic products. They should therefore not be deliberately used in organic farming or in the processing of organic products. The Proposal prohibits the use of the term 'organic' for GMO labelled products.

At least 95 percent of the final product must be organic for it to be labelled as such. Although products containing GMOs may not be labelled as organic, there is an exception for those with up to 0.9 percent GMO content from accidental contamination.

Organic farming

Organic farming should primarily rely on renewable resources within locally organised agricultural systems. In order to minimise the use of non-renewable resources, wastes of plant and animal origin should be recycled to return nutrients to the land and for energy production.

Organic plant production should contribute to maintaining and enhancing soil fertility as well as to preventing soil erosion. Plants should preferably be fed through the soil eco-system and not through soluble fertilisers added to the soil.

The essential elements of the organic plant production management system are soil fertility management, choice of species and varieties, multi-annual crop rotation, recycling organic materials and cultivation techniques. Additional fertilisers, soil conditioners and plant protection products should only be used if they are compatible with the objectives and principles of organic production.

Controls

With regard to controls, Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council on official food and feed controls (OFFC) entered into application on 1 January 2006 covering organic farming.

Organic Logos: Organic foods may bear the organic logo for their individual member state. Under the new regulation it will be compulsory for them to also carry either the EU logo, which has existed for a number of years, or to wording 'EU organic'.

The regulations COM(2005) 671 final 2005/0278 (CNS) 2005/0279 (CNS) will come into force for EU member states in January 2009. For imports, for which there are presently no rules, they will be effective from January 2007. Such imports must comply with EU standards or come with equivalent guarantees from their country of origin.

Principles applicable to all organic production

• The use of living organisms and mechanical production methods shall be preferred to the use of synthetic materials.
• Natural substances shall be used in preference to chemically synthesised substances, which may be used only where natural substances are not commercially available.
• GMOs and products produced from or by GMOs may not be used, with the exception of veterinary medicinal products.
• Rules of organic production shall be adapted to local conditions, stages of development and specific husbandry practices, while maintaining the common concept of organic production.

Principles applicable to organic farming

• Farming shall maintain and enhance soil fertility, prevent and combat soil erosion, and minimise pollution.
• Farming shall aim at producing products of high quality instead of maximising production.
• The use of non-renewable resources and off-farm inputs shall be minimized;
• Wastes and by-products of plant and animal origin shall be recycled as input in plant and livestock production and for energy production.
• Production decisions shall take account of the local or regional ecological balance.
• Plants shall be primarily fed through the soil ecosystem.
• Maintenance of animal and plant health shall be based on preventative techniques including selection of appropriate breeds and varieties.
• Feed for livestock shall come primarily from the holding where the animals are kept or shall be produced in cooperation with other organic farms in the same region.
• The highest level of animal welfare shall be observed.
• Products of organic livestock production shall come from animals that since birth or hatching and throughout their life have been raised on organic holdings.
• Breeds shall be chosen favouring slow growing strains and having regard to the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease or health problems.
• Organic livestock feed shall be composed essentially of agricultural ingredients from organic farming and of natural non-agricultural substances.
• Husbandry practices which enhance the immune system and strengthen the natural defence against diseases shall be used.
• Aquaculture production shall minimise the negative effect on the aquatic environment.
• Feed used in aquaculture shall be from sustainable fisheries or composed essentially of agricultural ingredients from organic farming and of natural non-agricultural substances.
• Polyploid animals may not be used.

Production of processed organic feed and food

• Organic food and feed shall be produced essentially from agricultural ingredients which shall be organic, except where an organic ingredient is not commercially available.
• Additives and processing aids shall be used to a minimum extent and only in case of essential technological need.
• Ionising radiation may not be used.

General farm production rules

Where not all of a farm is used for organic production, the holding may be split up into clearly separated units which are not all managed under organic production. In this case, adequate records to show the separation must be kept.

Farmers are required not to use GMOs or products produced from GMOs. Where farmers use products purchased from third parties to produce organic food or feedstuffs, they shall require the vendor to confirm that the products supplied have not been produced by +Os.

Plant production rules

Organic plant production should comply with the following rules:

• Organic plant production shall be based on tillage and cultivation practices that maintain or increase soil organic matter, enhance soil stability and soil biodiversity, and prevent soil compaction and soil erosion.
• Fertility and biological activity of the soil shall be maintained and increased by multi-annual crop rotation including green manure, application of manure and organic material from organic farms.
• Fertilisers and soil conditioners compatible with the objectives and principles of organic production may be used if they have been approved:
• Mineral nitrogen fertilisers shall not be used.
• All plant production techniques used shall prevent or minimise any contribution to contamination of the environment.
• Prevention of damage caused by pests, diseases and weeds shall rely primarily on the choice of species and varieties, crop rotation and cultivation techniques.
• In the case of threat to a crop, plant protection products compatible with the objectives and principles of organic production may be used if they have been approved.
• The use of any approved synthetic substances shall be subject to conditions and limits as regards the crops that they can be applied to, the application method, the dosage, the time limits for use and the contact with crop.
• Only organically produced seed and propagating material may be used. To this end, the mother plant in the case of seeds and the parent plant in the case of vegetative propagating material shall have been produced in accordance with the rules laid down in this Regulation for at least one generation, or, in the case of perennial crops, two growing seasons.
• The collection of edible plants and parts thereof, growing naturally in natural areas, forests and agricultural areas, is considered an organic production method provided that:
• Those areas have not, for a period of three years before the collection, received treatments with not approved products.
• The collection does not affect the stability of the natural habitat or the maintenance of the species in the collection area.

Livestock production rules

Livestock production should complie with the following rules: With regard to husbandry practices and housing conditions:

• Personnel keeping animals shall possess the necessary knowledge and competence as regards the health and the welfare needs of the animals.
• Husbandry practices, including stocking densities, and housing conditions shall ensure that developmental, physiological and ethological needs of animals are met.
• The livestock shall have permanent access to a free-range area, preferably pasture, whenever weather conditions and the state of the ground allow this.
• The number of livestock shall be limited with a view to minimising overgrazing, poaching of soil, erosion, or pollution caused by animals or by the spreading of their manure.
• Organic livestock shall be kept separate or readily separable from other livestock.
• Tethering or isolation of livestock shall be prohibited, unless for individual animals for a limited period of time and justified for safety, welfare or veterinary reasons.
• Duration of transport of livestock to slaughterhouses shall be minimised.
• Any suffering, including mutilation, shall be kept to a minimum.
• Apiaries must be placed in areas which ensure nectar and pollen sources consisting essentially of organically produced crops and/or spontaneous vegetation and must keep enough distance from sources leading to contamination of products from bee-keeping.
• Hives and materials used in bee-keeping must be made of natural materials.
• The destruction of bees in the combs as a method associated with the harvesting of bee-keeping products is prohibited.

With regard to breeding:

• Reproduction shall not be induced by hormone treatment, unless in order to treat reproduction disorders.
• Cloning and embryo transfer shall not be used.
• An appropriate choice of breed shall contribute to the prevention of any suffering and to avoiding the need for mutilation of animals.

With regard to feed:

• Livestock shall be fed with organic feed, which may include proportions of feed from farm units which are in conversion to organic farming, that meet the animal's nutritional requirements at the various stages of its development.
• Animals shall have permanent access to pasture or roughage.
• Feed additives may be used only if they have been approved.
• Growth promoters and synthetic amino-acids may not be used.
• Suckling mammals shall be fed with natural, preferably maternal, milk.

With regard to disease prevention and veterinary treatment:

• Disease prevention shall be based on breed and strain selection, husbandry management practices, high quality feed and exercise, appropriate stocking density and adequate and appropriate housing maintained in hygienic conditions.
• Disease outbreaks shall be treated immediately to avoid suffering to the animal. Allopathic products including antibiotics may be used where necessary, when the use of phytotherapeutic, homeopathic and other products is inappropriate.

Production rules for feed

Production of organic feed shall be kept separate from production of non organic feed.

Organic feed materials, and/or feed materials from production in conversion, shall not enter simultaneously with the same feed materials produced by non organic means into the composition of the organic feed product.

Hexane and other organic solvents may not be used.

Feed manufacturers are required not to use GMOs or products produced from GMOs where they should have knowledge of their presence due to information on any label accompanying the product or from other accompanying documents.

Where feed manufacturers use ingredients and additives purchased from third parties to produce feedstuffs for organic livestock, they shall require the vendor to confirm that the products supplied have not been produced by GMOs.

General rules on the production of processed food

The following criteria shall apply to the composition of organic processed food:

• At least 95%, by weight, of the ingredients of agricultural origin of the product shall be organic.
• Ingredients of non-agricultural origin and processing aids may be used only if they have been approved.
• Non-organic agricultural ingredients may be used only if they have been approved.

Label and advertising claims

The terms listed in in Annex I of the Proposal, such as organic, ecologico, ökologisch, biologisch, their derivatives or diminutives, alone or combined, may be used throughout the Community and in any Community language for the labelling and advertising of a product which is produced and controlled, or imported, in accordance with this Regulation.

These terms may not be used for a product which bears a label indicating that it contains GMOs, consists of GMOs or is produced from GMOs.

General claims that a particular set of private or national organic standards is stricter, more organic or otherwise superior to the rules laid down in this Regulation, or to any other set of organic standards, may not be used on labels or in advertising.

However, indications referring to specific elements of the production method used for a certain product may only be used on labels or in advertising on condition that they are true statements of fact and otherwise in conformity with the general labelling requirements set out in Directive 2000/13/EC.

Certification

The competent authority and the approved control bodies may grant certificates, including the right to use their marks of conformity with organic standards, to operators which are subject to the control system.

Imports from third countries

A product imported from a third country may be placed on the Community market labelled as organic where it complies with standards equivalent to those applied to organic production in the Community, or is in accordance with the internationally recognised standards set out in the Codex Alimentarius guidelines.

Aquaculture

As regards to aquaculture the proposal achieves one of the actions of the Commission Communication to the Council and the European Parliament of 2002 on the sustainable development of European aquaculture, namely "harmonisation of the rules on organic aquaculture under Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91".

International harmonization of organic food - Codex Alimentarius [1616]

The Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods provide the requirements of production, the labelling and claims for organic foods.

These guidelines are at this stage a first step into official international harmonization of the requirements for organic products in terms of production and marketing standards, inspection arrangements and labelling requirements.

Main subjects of the organic foods Codex guidelines
The main subjects of these guidelines are:

Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agroecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.

Apart from a small portion of agricultural commodities marketed directly from the farm to consumers, most products find their way to consumers via established trade channels. To minimize deceptive practices in the market place, specific measures are necessary to ensure that trade and processing enterprises can be audited effectively. Therefore, the regulation of a process, rather than a final product, demands responsible action by all involved parties.

Import requirements of organic products should be based on the principles of equivalency and transparency as set out in the Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification.

Labelling of organic products
Organic products should be labelled in accordance with the Codex General Standard for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985, Rev 1-1991) [1643] in addition to Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Marketing and Labelling of Organically Produced Foods 2005 (GL 32 - 1999, Rev. 1 - 2001) [1616]

Rules of production and preparation
Permitted substance lists

Inspection
According to the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines for Organic Foods inspection measures are necessary across the whole of the food chain to verify product labelled according to the guidelines conforms to internationally agreed practices.

Access by the inspection body to all written and/or documentary records and to the establishment under the inspection scheme is essential. The operator under an inspection should also give access to the competent or designated authority and provide any necessary information for third party audit purposes.

Rules of production and preparation of organic products according to the Codex:Organic products should be stored and transported according to the requirements defined in the guidelines.

Plant and plant products: Special principles defined in the guidelines should have been applied on the parcels, farm or farm units during a conversion period of at least two years before sowing, or in the case of perennial crops other than grassland, at least three years before the first harvest of products labelled as organic.

Livestock and livestock products:Where livestock for organic production are maintained, they should be an integral part of the organic farm unit and should be raised and held according to these guidelines.

Compliance periods for livestock: Once the land has reached organic status and livestock from a non-organic source is introduced, and if the products are to be sold as organic, such livestock must be reared according to these Guidelines for at least the following compliance periods:

Bovine and equine

• Meat products: 12 months and at least 75% of their life span in the organic management system.
• Calves for meat production: 6 months when brought in as soon as they are weaned and less than 6 months old.
• Milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.

Ovine and caprine

• Meat products: six months.
• Milk products: 90 days during the implementation period established by the competent authority, after that, six months.

Porcine

• Meat products: Six months.

Poultry/laying hens

• Meat products: whole of life span as determined by the competent authority.
• Eggs: six weeks.

Nutrition
All livestock systems should provide the optimum level of 100% of the diet from feedstuffs produced to the requirements of these guidelines.

For an implementation period to be set by the competent authority, livestock products will maintain their organic status providing feed, consisting of at least 85% for ruminants and 80% for non-ruminants and calculated on a dry matter basis, is from organic sources produced in compliance with these Guidelines.

Specific criteria for feedstuffs, nutritional elements, additives and Processing Aids are defined in the guidelines.

Livestock husbandry, transport and slughter: Maintenance of livestock should be guided by an attitude of care, responsibility and respect for living creatures.

Beekeeping and bee products: Bee keeping is an important activity that contributes to the enhancement of the environment, agriculture and forestry production through the pollination action of bees. The treatment and management of hives should respect the principles of organic farming.

Collection areas must be large enough to provide adequate and sufficient nutrition and access to water.The sources of natural nectar, honeydew and pollen shall consist essentially of organically produced plants and/or spontaneous (wild) vegetation.

Handling, storage, transportation, processing and packaging
The integrity of the organic product must be maintained throughout the processing phase. This is achieved by the use of techniques appropriate to the specifics of the ingredients with careful processing methods limiting refining and the use of additives and processing aids. Ionizing radiation should not be used on organic products for the purpose of pest control, food preservation, elimination of pathogens or sanitation.

Pest managementFor pest management and control the following measures, in order of preference, should be used:
Preventative methods, such as disruption and elimination of habitat and access to facilities by pest organisms, should be the primary methodology of pest management.

If preventative methods are inadequate, the first choice for pest control should be mechanical/physical and biological methods.

If mechanical/physical and biological methods are inadequate for pest control, pesticidal substances listet in these guidelines (or other substances allowed for use by a competent authority) may be used.

Harmonisation of different standards to improve trade in organic produces between different regions

[1614]
The new tools being introduced, called Equitool and IROCB (International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies), were released in October 2008 by the FAO, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there are some 400 different public and private certification bodies.

The Equitool and IROCB are intended to establish equivalence between standards in order to harmonise trade in organic produce between markets with different standards and environmental conditions, such severe winter in northern countries where animals are kept indoor, and mild climate conditions in subtropical regions where cattle lives outdoor the whole year.

Equitool assesses the equivalence between standards, and IROCB enable the recognition of organic certification bodies around the world.

Global situation of organic farming

Organic food in Africa: SEKEM, an Egyptian organic agriculture company, won the Right Livelihood Award in 2003. Uganda, is the first country that has reached 1 percent of agricultural land to be certified organic.

Dr. Thomas van Elsen speaking about Biologic-dynamical farming and landscape states: "Ecological - also known as biologic - dynamical managing alone is no guaranty for a manifold landscape" New strategies concerning farming are necessary.

USA
USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 regulates organic foods in USA. [1615]

The US National Organic Program presents a domestic and a foreign list of the USDA Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs), application for certification, applications for cost sharing programmes for organic crops and livestock producers.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will accredit State, private, and foreign organizations or persons to become "certifying agents". Certifying agents will certify that production and handling practices meet the national standards

The US Certification
Operations or portions of operations that produce or handle agricultural products that are intended to be sold, labelled, or represented as "100 percent organic," "organic," or "made with organic ingredients" or food group(s).

Excepted from certification are:
Farms and handling operations that sell less than $5,000 a year in organic agricultural products. Although exempt from certification, these producers and handlers must abide by the national standards for organic products and may label their products as organic. Handlers, including final retailers, that do not process or repackage products.

Handlers that only handle products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. A handling operation or portion of an operation that is a retail food establishment that processes or prepares, on the premises of the establishment, raw and ready-to-eat food labelled organic.

A handling operation that chooses to use the word organic only on the information panel. A handling operation that handles products that are packaged or otherwise enclosed in a container prior to being received by the operation and remain in the same package.

NOP Standards (7 CFR Part 205)

[1684] Summary: NOP Standards became effective in 2002. It will facilitate domestic and international marketing of fresh and processed food that is organically produced and assure consumers that such products meet consistent, uniform standards.

This program establishes national standards for the production and handling of organically produced products, including a National List of substances approved for and prohibited from use in organic production and handling.

It establishes an accreditation program for State officials and private persons who want to be accredited as certifying agents. It includes requirements for labeling products as organic and containing organic ingredients. It provides rules for importation of organic agricultural products with equivalent organic program requirements.

Allowed and Prohibited Substances
A certified operation must only use allowed substances, methods, and ingredients for the production and handling of agricultural products that are sold, labeled, or represented as "100 percent organic," "organic," or made with..." for these products to be in compliance with the Act and the NOP regulations. Use of ionizing radiation, sewage sludge, and excluded methods are prohibited in the production and handling of organic agricultural products.

The National List (7 CFR 205.600-606) as published in the regulations is the official source for decisions concerning approved and prohibited materials for organic operations. No other citation is allowed. The OMRI Generic Materials List (GML) is therefore not to be applied for any decisions concerning organic foods certification. [1685]

Labelling	principle display	Information	Ingredient	Other package
category	panel	panel	statement	panels
"100 percent	"100 percent	"100 percent	If multiingredient	"100 percent
Organic"	organic (optional)	organic	product, identify	organic"
Entirely whole,		(optional)	each ingredient as	(optional)
organic:	USDA seal and	Certifying agent	"organic" (optional)
whole, raw or	certifying agent	name (required)		USDA seal and
processed	seal(s) (optional)	business/internet		certifying agent
product)		address tele nr.		seal(s) (optional)
		(optional)
"organic"	"Organic" plus	"X% organic"	Identify organic	"X% organic"
(95% or more	product name)	(optional)	ingredients as	(optional)
organic	(optional)		"organic" (required
ingredients)	"X% organic"	Certifying agent	if other organic	USDA seal and
	(optional)	name(required)	labelling is shown	certifying agent
	USDA seal and	business/internet		seal(s) (optional)
	certifying agents	address tele nr.
	seal(s) (optional)	8optional9
"Made with	"made with organic	"X% organic	Identify organic	"made with
organic	(ingredients or	ingredients"	ingredients as	organic
ingredients"	food group(s)	(optional)	"organic (required"	(ingredients or
(70 to 95%	(optional)		if other organic	food group(s)
organic		Certifying agent	labelling is shown)	(optional)
ingredients)		address tele nr.		Certifying agent
	Certifying agent	(optional)		seal of final
	seal of final	Prohibited:		product handler
	product handler	USDA seal		(optional)
	(optional)			Prohibited:
		Prohibited:		USDA seal
	seal	USDA
Less-than 70%	Prohibited:	"X% organic"	Identify organic	Prohibited:
organic	Any reference	(optional)	ingredients as	USDA seal and
ingredients	to organic		"organic" (optional)	certifying agent
	content of
	product
	Prohibited:	Prohibited:	(required if %	seal
	USDA seal	USDA seal	organic is
	and certifying	and certifying	displayed)
	agent seal	agent seal

Other special food systems with organic claims

AGöL and IFOAM: These systems are regulated by rules which have been established by their own organization. The principles of organic agriculture was first described in 8 lectures held by Rudolf Steiner in 1924 and was also based on Goethe and his recognition of nature. Demeter farmers deal with their farms as a unique living organism. They call this kind of farming "biodinamic".

The organizations which follow these principles are united under the cover of AGÖL , an agricultural cooperative bringing together all the Organic inspection bodies. It was founded in Germany in 1988, through the initiative of Demeter.

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)

[1686] The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) embraces worldwide all organic federations, whose goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems based on the principles of Organic Agriculture. The Movement was founded in 1972 and is an independent global non-profit organization.

The IFOAM Principles of Organic Agriculture

[1687] In its Principles the IFOAM defines agriculture as one of humankind's most basic activities because all people need to nourish themselves daily. History, culture and community values are embedded in agriculture. The Principles apply to agriculture in the broadest sense and is concerned with the way people interact with living landscapes, relate to one another and shape the legacy of future generations.

The Principles of Organic Agriculture serve to inspire the organic movement in its full diversity and are presented with a vision of their world-wide adoption.

Organic agriculture is based on:

• The principle of health
• The principle of ecology
• The principle of fairness
• The principle of care

Each principle is articulated through a statement followed by an explanation. The principles are to be used as a whole. They are composed as ethical principles to inspire action.

Principle of health
Organic Agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible. This principle points out that the health of individuals and communities cannot be separated from the health of ecosystems - healthy soils produce healthy crops that foster the health of animals and people.

Health is the wholeness and integrity of living systems. It is not simply the absence of illness, but the maintenance of physical, mental, social and ecological well-being. Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of health.

The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings. In particular, organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and well-being. In view of this it should avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides, animal drugs and food additives that may have adverse health effects.

Principle of ecology
Organic Agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.

This principle roots organic agriculture within living ecological systems. It states that production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling. Nourishment and well-being are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment. For example, in the case of crops this is the living soil; for animals it is the farm ecosystem; for fish and marine organisms, the aquatic environment.

Organic farming, pastoral and wild harvest systems should fit the cycles and ecological balances in nature. These cycles are universal but their operation is site-specific. Organic management must be adapted to local conditions, ecology, culture and scale. Inputs should be reduced by reuse, recycling and efficient management of materials and energy in order to maintain and improve environmental quality and conserve resources.

Organic agriculture should attain ecological balance through the design of farming systems, establishment of habitats and maintenance of genetic and agricultural diversity. Those who produce, process, trade, or consume organic products should protect and benefit the common environment including landscapes, climate, habitats, biodiversity, air and water.

Principle of fairness
Organic Agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities

Fairness is characterized by equity, respect, justice and stewardship of the shared world, both among people and in their relations to other living beings.

This principle emphasizes that those involved in organic agriculture should conduct human relationships in a manner that ensures fairness at all levels and to all parties - farmers, workers, processors, distributors, traders and consumers. Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life, and contribute to food sovereignty and reduction of poverty. It aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products.

This principle insists that animals should be provided with the conditions and opportunities of life that accord with their physiology, natural behaviour and well-being.

Natural and environmental resources that are used for production and consumption should be managed in a way that is socially and ecologically just and should be held in trust for future generations. Fairness requires systems of production, distribution and trade that are open and equitable and account for real environmental and social costs.

Principle of care
Organic Agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

Organic agriculture is a living and dynamic system that responds to internal and external demands and conditions. Practitioners of organic agriculture can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and well-being. Consequently, new technologies need to be assessed and existing methods reviewed. Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and agriculture, care must be taken.

This principle states that precaution and responsibility are the key concerns in management, development and technology choices in organic agriculture. Science is necessary to ensure that organic agriculture is healthy, safe and ecologically sound. However, scientific knowledge alone is not sufficient. Practical experience, accumulated wisdom and traditional and indigenous knowledge offer valid solutions, tested by time. Organic agriculture should prevent significant risks by adopting appropriate technologies and rejecting unpredictable ones, such as genetic engineering.

Decisions should reflect the values and needs of all who might be affected, through transparent and participatory processes.

Other special food systems with organic claims

AGÖL and IFOAM: These systems are regulated by rules which have been established by their own organization. The principles of organic agriculture was first described in 8 lectures held by Rudolf Steiner in 1924 and was also based on Goetheand his recognition of nature.

Demeter farmers: [1688] Demeter farmers deal with their farms as a unique living organism. They call their farming biodinamic.
The organizations which follow these principles are united under the cover of AGÖL (Arbeitsgemeinschaft ökologischer Landbau) (Working group for organic farming) , an agricultural cooperative bringing together all the Organic inspection bodies. It was founded in Germany in 1988, through the initiative of Demeter. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) embraces worldwide all organic federations, whose goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially and economically sound systems based on the principles of Organic Agriculture.

Diversification and periodic crop changes are the basis of organic farming. It tries to control weeds, to provide soil nutrients and guarantee soil fertility. Synthetic pesticides are not used. Useful antagonists of pest are supported keeping pests under control. Genetic modified plants and seeds are not allowed. Landscape conservation such as planting bushes to avoid wind erosion and provide breeding places for birds are part of these regulations. Changing from conventional to organic farming takes two to three years.

Demeter is a member of the AGÖL. It is the only ecological association that has built up a network of individual certification organisations world-wide. In 1997 Demeter-International was founded for closer co-operation in the legal, economic and spiritual spheres. Presently Demeter International has 18 members from Demeter organisations from Europe, America, Africa and New Zealand. Thus Demeter-International represents around 3.000 Demeter producers in nearly 40 countries.

Greek mythology: The name of the organization comes from the goddess of grain and fertility in ancient Greek, Demeter. The Greeks, like most ancient cultures, relied upon agriculture for their sustenance. As the patron deity of agriculture her association with grain also translated into a close relationship with human fertility. There are, consequently, many myths dealing with Demeter in her capacity as a fertility goddess.

Homeric Hymn to Demeter, in which the story of the goddess and the abduction of her daughter Persephone and the consequent anger of Demeter is told. The Hymn also alludes to aspects of the mystery cult referred to as the Eleusinian Mysteries.

The goddess Demeter was known as Ceres in Roman mythology.

History of the organization

1927 First co-operative was formed to market Bio-Dynamic produce.
1928 At the Sierra Madre, Mexico start the first Bio-Dynamic Coffee Plantation.
1939 In New Zealand the 'Bio-Dynamic Association' was founded.
1941 All Demeter-Organisations and the monthly magazine "Demeter" are forbidden in Germany through the NSDAP.
1946 The 'Experimental Circle for Bio-Dynamic farming methods' restarts the movement.
1963 Maria Thun comprehensive work on the cosmic influences upon plants and the sowing calendar"The Star Calendar".
1994 Demeter Standards for Food Processing.
The first Doctorate on a Bio-Dynamic theme (The rhythms of the moon) is written by Dr. Hartmut Spiess, a fellow worker at the Institute for Bio-Dynamic Research. Demeter is restructured in accordance with the threefold social order, and this, together with the importance of regional impulses, becomes the main focus of the work.

Further AGÖL organisations
Bioland, organic biologic agriculture
Biokreis Ostbayern
Naturland
ANOG (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Naturnahen Obst-, Gemüse und Feldfruchtanbau e.V.
ECO VIN (Bundesverband Ökologisher Weinbau (BÖW)
Gäa e.V. ( Had its roots in the former DDR)
Ökosiegel

AGÖL regulation for organic animal farming

The farmer does not see the animal as a mean of production, but he considers it as a component of the cycle soil-plant-animal-human.

Dairy cattle: Dairy cattle and calves must have access to pasture in summer or access to the open air all the year round. To tie up young and fattening stock all the year round is not allowed. Access to the open air has to be available ever where possible. Sleeping stalls are to be spread with straw (or other organic litter). Farming is limited to two cows per hectare.

Poultry: Caged systems are prohibited for poultry. In ground managed systems at least one third of the floor area is to be available as scratching area. Open-air runs are required for young birds and laying hens. Other poultry are to have access to an outside run, waterfowl also having access to open water.

Feeds: Feeds must be appropriate to the class of animal, its age and its physiological needs, with care also being given to provide sufficient mineral nutrition. The necessary minerals and trace elements should be of natural origin as far as possible (herbs, leaf forage etc.). Fodder produced on the farm forms the basis of animal nutrition. At least 50% of the feed for each animal type respectively, must originate on the farm or in co-operation with another Demeter farm.

Hormones are not allowed. Antibiotics, sulphonamide drugs, coccidiostats, synthetic compounds from organic chemistry and pharmaceuticals are not permitted as additives to feed. Isolated amino acids, growth promoters, production enhancers (feed antibiotics and enhancers) and synthetic chemical feed additives (except vitamins) are not allowed.

Labelling of organics:

The Regulation 2092/91 EWG regulates standards for the production and the control of organics. These standards are intended to protect farmers and consumers from misleading use of "Bio" and "Organics". They should only be used if at least 95% of ingredients are organic.

The regulation defines also a clear difference between organic foods and conventional ones. All regulations refer to vegetable origin. Organic animal breeding is not mentioned in the regulation 2092/91 EWG.

Very detailed description of organic breeding of meat producing animals are found in "Demeter Production standards" and "International Demeter Processing Standards" which were implemented by all international members and the AGÖL members Germany by the 1st January 2003.

The general rules of the AGÖL are tighter than the regulations of the European Organic regulation which permits a registration as organic of a part of the farm. The rule of AGÖL , does not.

Specific terms: Terms such as integrated, controlled, environment sustainable, ecologically friendly do not mean they are conform to the organic regulations from the EU or AGÖL. These are pseudo organic products.

Global situation of organic farming

[1689] Organic food in Africa: SEKEM, an Egyptian organic agriculture company, won the Right Livelihood Award in 2003. Uganda, is the first country that has reached 1 percent of agricultural land to be certified organic.

Dr. Thomas van Elsen (University of Kassel, Faculty of Ecological Agriculture Sciences, Department of Organic Farming and Cropping Systems Witzenhausen, Germany) speaking about Biologic-dynamical farming and landscape states: "Ecological - also known as biologic-dynamical managing alone is no guaranty for a manifold landscape. New strategies concerning farming are necessary."

Land	Percent
	of total land area
	under organic
2001	management
Switzerland	9.0
Austria	8.6
Italy	6.8
Sweden	5.8
Czech Republic	3.9
UK	3.3
Uganda	1.0
USA	0.3
	Source:Economic Research
	Service USDA AIB-780 [1689]

On behalf of the organic ideas, centres have been created to develop organic agriculture, farming an manifold landscapes, beekeeping and nature conservation.

Social economic environment

Sustainable agriculture can only succeed if environment, social interests and global affairs are treated in a holistic way.

Social economic environmental research is done by Dr. C. Krotscheck or Prof. Dr. M. Narodoslawsky at the Institute of Chemical Engineering, Graz, University of Technology dealing with the sustainable development of two partners: ecosphere and sociosphere. The Node of Social Economic Environmental Research in Austria has collected encompassing information about the current state and direction of Austrian research efforts in this highly dynamic area.

Alternative Diets

Acceptance of organic food is strongly bounded to dietary believes of the consumers. Some knowledge in this field is necessary to understand the different ways they are going.

A variety of alternative diets are offered for treating cancer, cardiovascular disease, and food allergies. Virtually all of these interventions focus on freshly prepared vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.

Food allergy and intolerance are being studied as contributing factors in rheumatoid arthritis. Other benefits attributed to alternate dietary lifestyles include a greater resistance to illness and improved control for hyperactive children.

Most diets include variations of the vegetarian, macrobiotic, and cultural diets of Asian and Mediterranean nations. Studies report a significant lowering of risk factors for heart disease and certain forms of cancer in these groups. Although few controlled studies of traditional diets exist, such as those originally consumed by Native American Indians, diseases such as diabetes and cancer were not a problem for these populations until their diets became more Westernized.

Vegetarian and vegan diets
Many people choose these diets to improve their health or to decrease the risk of chronic diseases, Others are concerned about the presence of antibiotics, hormones, pesticide residues or disease-causing agents (as with mad cow disease) that may be present in meat.

Some vegetarians object to inhumane practices of modern-day animal farming, so their reasons for being vegetarian are largely ethical

Some vegetarians believe that humans are not physiologically suited to meat eating; humans have more in common with herbivorous animals than with carnivorous animals in terms of the structure and function of the digestive tract.

Some people choose vegetarianism in an attempt to live more simply and economically, and in closer harmony with nature.

Others go vegetarian due to concerns about world hunger and the environment, because large-scale production of animal foods uses land that could otherwise be used to grow plant-based foods, and is a major cause of deforestation and soil erosion worldwide.

- It takes 7 kilograms of grain to produce a kilogram of beef,
- 4 for a kilogram of pork.
- over a third of the world's annual 640 million tons grain harvest is to fatten animals.

Vegetarians are healthier than people who eat meat. In some cases, vegans have better health than lacto-ovo vegetarians. The vegetarians were less likely to be obese, or to have high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis or colon cancer. They were also less likely to die from heart disease.
Many factors in vegetarian diets contribute to the better health of vegetarians.

Difference between vegetarian diet and meat-eaters: Vegetarians consume more fiber as do meat-eaters, consume more antioxidants and phytochemicals such as isoflavones, much less saturated fat and cholesterol. Vegetarians do not consume heme iron, a type of iron found in meat that may increase the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Possible deficiencies
Balanced protein and calcium - Soy foods and dairy products prevent any deficiency.
Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12-fortified foods or taking vitamin supplements on a daily basis prevents a deficiency.
Iron and iodine for strict veganes- iodized salt, fruits(0,1-0,7mg iron/100 g), vegetables (1-1,5), dried bean (7), nuts (4-8), grain products such as bread (1-5), and fortified breakfast cereals, in addition to vitamin C to improve absorption of iron.

People who live in cloudy, smoggy, or northern areas, and people who do not leave their residences, need foods fortified with vitamin D. Vegetarians who do not consume milk should be sure to get 20 to 30 minutes of sun exposure every day since this promotes the synthesis of vitamin D in the body.

Macrobiotics

[1690] Macrobiotics is based mainly on consumption of soup, unpolished brown rice or other whole grain dish and cooked vegetables.

Macrobiotic cooking prefers to add salt to a level which is comfortable for everyone, but not more. In this way, there is always some salt in meals, but not excessive amounts. For those who desire more salt, they can obtain this by adding Macrobiotic condiments like goma-sio, tekka, tamari-kombu, tsukemono (pickled vegetables).

Testing macrobiotics: Macrobiotics offers a cup of cooked, unpolished brown rice seasoned only with sun-evaporated salt and goma-sio, miso soup with vegetables and seaweed, simply-cooked and lightly salted garden vegetables, and a small cup of unsweetened, un-dyed, 3-year-old, roasted twig tea. All that is asked to chew each mouthful of food at least 50 times before swallowing, and to try this for at least 10 (ten) days, and forsake other forms of nourishment during that time.

The difference to other diets
Liquid intake: Drinking only when thirsty. When one switches to a Macrobiotic diet composed of largely vegetable-based foods that are inherently balanced, the need to dilute and re-distribute excesses and deficiencies in blood chemistry is naturally reduced dramatically.

Adding Salt to Food during Meals: Macrobiotics addresses the individualized need for added salt by including goma-sio (sesame salt) or other condiment on the table, but not plain salt. Macrobiotic cooking prefers to add salt to a level which is comfortable for everyone, but not more.

For those who desire more salt, they can obtain this by adding Macrobiotic condiments like goma-sio, tekka, tamari-kombu, tsukemono (pickled vegetables) etc. Modern dietary thinking for the most part downplays the value of salt in the human diet, and even considers it harmful and a cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disorders and other complications. This is due to the fact that refined salt can harm cells and organs because it lacks buffering trace minerals. Unrefined rock or sea salt contains trace minerals so important to buffer and assist body functions.

Macrobiotics teaches to drink tea plain:This is because tea is usually served at the end of a meal, and is not to be considered a dessert beverage, but a balanced way to end a meal. Also, the Macrobiotic way is a journey away from a way of eating that bombards the senses with exaggerated levels of sweetness, saltiness, spiciness and sourness in foods and beverages back to an appreciation of life's simplicity and subtlety.

The following are basic concepts of the Macrobiotic Way of Eating:
Consume organically and locally-grown foods in season as they become available, or foods that will store without artificial preservation or refrigeration. Alternatively, eat foods grown in the same latitude. Consume cooked whole grains primarily, and recipes made from whole grains; secondarily in quantity, cooked vegetables, adjusting proportions and preparation methods according to activity, climate and seasonal fluctuations of temperature and humidity.

Use solar-evaporated sea water salts in preparation of foods, as well as traditionally-aged miso and shoyu, umeboshi and seaweeds. Drink undyed, 3-year old roasted twig tea (kukicha) as preferred beverage.

Use unrefined, cold-pressed seed oils sparingly, made from organically-grown seeds, like sesame, corn, safflower, sunflower, flaxseed, etc.

Use roasted seeds and nuts, fruit, salads and fish occasionally as desired, in smaller quantities, as provided in season.

Use beans and bean products frequently, as primary sources of protein, along with whole grain and vegetable dishes.

Avoid all foods and beverages containing refined sweeteners, chemical dyes, synthetic flavorings or seasonings, refined oils, chemical preservatives, or made from foods grown with chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, or produced by bio-engineering or grown under green house conditions.

Avoid foods grown in, and shipped from, warmer latitudes.

Avoid "soft" (carbonated, sweetened) beverages, canned goods, alcoholic beverages, artificial sweeteners or products containing these ingredients.

Chew each mouthful thoroughly before swallowing.

Water for agriculture

All form of diets depend on farming and farming depends on water management. It is important to find a solution to diminish the impact of droughts erosion and environmental changes. The University of Chile (UCH) is charged with developing and disseminating knowledge about the nature and resolution of these problems. It is undertaking the multidisciplinary Program of Arid Lands

Chile and the State of Arizona face similar problems and issues in dealing with arid lands and the environment.

Examples include:
Rapidly increasing population pressure, which threatens agricultural sustainability. Problems with water availability, allocation, distribution, and quality.

Increasing soil erosion owing to inadequate agricultural practices.

Pollution of air, soil, and water as a result of industrial (mining and emerging agroindustry), agricultural, and urban exploitation of basic resources

Growing concern among the human population about the feasibility of maintaining and enhancing environment quality, a precondition for sustainable agricultural development.

Biosaline Agriculture Center (BAC) in Dubai is focusing its initial efforts on countries of the Arabian Peninsula. This choice is dictated by the urgent need to address water use and quality issues in this region, whose renewable water resources per person are less than 3% of the global average. The Middle East region (defined here as the North African countries from Mauritania, through the countries of the Fertile Crescent, the Arabian Peninsula, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the former Soviet republics in Central Asia) covers 14% of the total area of the world and is home to 10% of its population, yet has only 2% of the world's renewable water resources.

Renewable water resources per inhabitant are among the lowest in the world at an average of 1577 m3/ person per year, compared with the global average of 7000 m3. Sixteen of the 29 countries in the region have internal renewable water resources of less than 500 m3/person per year. Saline and brackish water resources are far more abundant than fresh water and little used at present. Bringing these resources into sustainable productive use will offer opportunities to increase food.

Water management is therefore of main interest in a global world. Some systmes are under trial to improve agriculture in arid zones.

Environmental development

Several movements are engaged in environmental development: Earth Council, best known from its program National Councils for Sustainable Development (NCSDs) supported by the United Nations Development Program with activities in:
Burkina Faso National Council for Environmental Management
Costa Rica National Council for Sustainable Development
Dominican Republic National Follow-up Commission
Mexico National Consultative Council for Sustainable Development
Philippines Philippine Council for Sustainable Development
Uganda National Environment Management Authority

Working under the premise that changes are not brought about by governments alone, the Earth Council set out after Rio to support and empower people in building a more secure, equitable and sustainable future (Agenda 21).

To bring more coherence and cooperation among the 140 major conventions relevant to the environment, and the 30 regional fishery bodies, consideration should be given to the establishment of the Inter-agency Coordination. This would cause:

Avoiding duplication of effort.
Identifying gaps in research.
Identifying opportunities for collaboration.
Promoting synergy through combined resources.

Earth Council sees the issue of enhancing "synergies" between environmental conventions at the national level as central to their core objective of sustainability.

"Sustainability" includes not only addressing economic and financial issues, but also environmental and social development issues. Sustainability means also the integration of all ecological, economical, social, political, cultural and spiritual aspects.

Burkina Faso:
The conservation of the biological diversity (priority domain of the Agreement on Biological Diversity), in a Sahelian country as Burkina Faso, cannot be conceived separately from a coherent program to fight desertification (Agreement on Combating Desertification). Also, fighting against desertification in an arid or semi-arid zone cannot be conceived without a sound water management policy (Ramsar Convention). The water resources are themselves dependent upon the climactic risks (Agreement on the Climactic Changes).

Recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy, overgrazing, soil degradation, deforestation.

Mexico:
Recommendations on ecological management and planning of land resources and climatic change with 35 items were established. The main obstacle that the CCDSs faces in Mexico is that the local authorities identify the CCDS as groups of environmentalists, exclusively. Therefore their analytical work about the relationships between the government,legislative, non-governmental, business, social and academic actors, is not considered by the local authorities.

Scarcity of hazardous waste disposal facilities; rural to urban migration; natural fresh water resources scarce and polluted in north, inaccessible and of poor quality in center and extreme southeast; raw sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers in urban areas; deforestation; widespread erosion; desertification; deteriorating agricultural lands; serious air and water pollution in the national capital and urban centers along US-Mexico border; land subsidence in Valley of Mexico caused by groundwater depletion.

Philippines:
Uncontrolled deforestation in watershed areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in Manila; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are important fish breeding grounds.

Agreements: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

These two variables also cause a negative chain of reactions in the social and natural fabric of Philippine life - tenurial problems, denudation of eco-system and watershed areas, soil erosion, siltation, and the breakdown in food chain checks and balances. Concrete manifestations of these problems are reflected in the following indicators:

1. Forest cover on the Philippines has been reduced from more than 50% to less than 24% over a 40-years period (1948-1987)
2. Only about 5% of the country's coral reefs remain in excellent condition.
3. 30%-50% of the sea grass beds in the last 50 years have been lost.
4. 80% of the mangrove areas in the last 75 years have been lost.
5. It is estimated that about 50% of national parks are no longer biologically important.

Thailand:
Air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal hunting.

Uganda:
Uganda is well endowed with good climate due to a variety of factors such as its equatorial location, high elevation and the presence of numerous lakes, rivers, wetlands and mountains. This partly explains the high diversity of plants and animals and the scenic beauty of the country that is rivaled by few countries in the world. However, this beautiful landscape is rapidly deteriorating due to a growing population, which is putting more pressure on land for food production and other socio-economic development activities.Draining of wetlands for agricultural use, deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, water hyacinth infestation in Lake Victoria is the result of nature exploit.

The Importance of biodiversity for Uganda is linked with tourism.

Other Agricultural Systems

Modern conventional and organic agricultural methods should be assessed in terms of sustainability. Precision Farming.

A project of the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament (TAB) has started on 1.1.2004. Precision farming is based on the combination of satellite-supported navigation systems (e.g. GPS - Global Positioning System), geographical information systems (GIS), computerised control of agricultural machinery, and corresponding software for farm management. In other words, this represents modern applications of information and control technology, combined with optimisation of arable farming.

Only large farms will benefit with reduction in inputs of production factors (fertiliser, pesticides/plant protection agents). Achieving positive ecological effects depends on a range of factors, e.g. the level of production inputs, potential location-specific hazards, and the general trend in production intensity. Biotechnology-especially genetic modification-represents an important technology option for meeting the long-term food needs of developing countries. However, this technology must be used within a policy framework that recognizes the importance of managing the health, environmental, and socioeconomic risks associated with it.

Conservation agriculture Introduction: Growing world population and a rapid destruction of nature resources make it necessary to look upon alternative systems with sustainable character. One of these system is the conservation agriculture.

It is a method which tries to improve soil humidity and soil conditions. It is based on no soil inversion and reduction or total elimination of mechanical soil disturbance, except to inject seeds or plants into the soil by direct drilling techniques (Zero-Tillage,No-Tillage or No-Till).

Zero-tillage is an agricultural concept that conserves soil fertility, improves the availability of soil moisture, and increases the soil's biological resources.

Zero-tillage is often used to express all measures which are part of the conservation agriculture, such as maintenance at all times of a complete soil cover consisting of cover crops and/or crop residues and crop rotations to enhance environment and to avoid pests and diseases.
Position of FAO: FAO promotes vigorously conservation agriculture.

Plowing experiment at the ARS Research Unit in Coshocton, Ohio:Over the past four decades, no-till has done more to reduce soil erosion on more acres than any other DDR conservation practice. It improves soil structure and increases infiltration. Several years without tillage are needed to maximize these benefits.

Plowing a field once ( such as to reduce slug infestations ) causes hardly any carbon loss from the plow layer. It may take 3 to 5 consecutive years of plowing before significant losses show up. But even a year of tillage greatly damages soil structure, which increases erosion and impairs water infiltration and soil health.

According to Loyd Owens, in order to conserve carbon, farmers should choose a practice with a focus on how erosive it is, rather than on how much carbon it leaves in the soil.

Conservation Agriculture in Europe: The European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) brings together eleven national associations which promote among Europe's farmers the soil management "best practice" aspects of conservation agriculture. With member associations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, ECAF represents the interests of the majority of the European Union's cropped farmland.

ECAF was constituted in Brussels on 14th January 1999, as a non-profit making association, subjected to the Belgium laws. It was conceived to encourage any issue focused on maintaining the agrarian soil and its biodiversity in the context of sustainable agriculture.

Elements of conservation agriculture
No-Tillage: Instead of burning crop residues after the harvest, or ploughing biomass into the ground, everything is left in place, as soil cover. At the start of the next cropping season, the field is not ploughed at all - instead, special equipment is used to drill the seeds directly into the soil.

Besides reducing mineralization, erosion and water loss, the surface cover inhibits the germination of weeds, protects soil microorganisms and helps build up organic matter.

Less time and labour spent on land preparation, lower fuel consumption and less air pollution, reduced need for chemical inputs, and increasing yields and farm income.

Soil cover: At all time the soil should be covered with cover-crops or crop residues. Herbicides used: Weeds are controlled by desiccant herbicides applied pre-planting. Further weed control is made with post-emergent herbicide of normal used in conventional agriculture.

Crop rotation: Conservation Agriculture also requires careful planning of crop rotations, new approaches to weed control and pest management, and a range of other "precision farming" skills. Conservation Agriculture is being adopted by increasing numbers of farmers on about 58 million ha of farm land, mainly in North and South America, but also in Southern Africa and South Asia. Farmers like it because it gives them a means of conserving, improving and making more efficient use of their natural resources,

Conservation Agriculture may require the application of herbicides where there is heavy weed infestation. During the transition phase from conventional to conservation agriculture, certain soil-borne pests or pathogens might create new problems due to the change in the biological equilibrium. But once the CA environment has stabilized, it tends to be more manageable and productive than conventional agriculture. So far there has been no pest problem that could not be overcome in Conservation agriculture.

Differences	Conservation	Organic
	Agriculture	Agriculture
Herbicides	Desiccant herbicides used	No chemical herbicides used
Fertilizers	Chemical fertilizers are used	Only organic fertilizers used
Tillage	No cultivation of soil	Intensive soil ploughing
IPM	works on the principles of	Based on a biological balance
	Integrated Pest Management

Herbicides and fertlilizers: Conservation Agriculture doesn't prohibit the use of chemical inputs, herbicides are an important component in this system, particularly in the transition phase. until a new balance in the weed population is achieved. Farm chemicals, including fertilizer, are applied very carefully. In general, conservation agriculture farmers use fewer chemical inputs than comparable conventional farmers and, over the years, quantities of chemical inputs tend to decline.

Tillage: The adoption of CA is in contrast with the notion in force for thousands of years that soil must be cultivated before sowing or planting.

Conservation agriculture works on the principles of Integrated Pest Management in view of the importance of soil life in the system. Without the use of IPM practices, the build up of soil biota would not be possible.

Monocropping: under zero-tillage is possible, but not recommended, because - just as in conventional farming - it creates pest problems. The system has also been adapted for vegetables, root crops, grain crops as sugar cane. Potatoes, beets, cassava, fruit and vines can also be grown using CA techniques.

So far the only areas where the concept has not been successfully adapted are arid areas with extreme water shortages and low production of organic matter.

The Gulf region, however, would benefit of this system using plastic foils instead of organic matters to cover the fields. Changing later to traditional CA.

Conservation agriculture adapted to Gulf region would reduce significantly water evaporation. Excessive irrigation would be avoided and progressive salinity of the soil could be retarded. This system is broadly used in heavy cropping of cucumber in Germany with best results in last drought periods.

Livestock can be fully integrated into conservation agriculture, by exploiting the recycling of nutrients. This reduces the environmental problems caused by concentrated, intensive livestock production. The farmer can introduce forage crops into the crop rotation, thus broadening it and reducing pest problems.

Forage crops can often be used as dual-purpose crops for fodder and soil cover. However, conflicts between the use of organic matter to feed the animals or to cover the soil has to be resolved, particularly in arid areas with low production of biomass.

Conservation Agriculture is being accepted in tropical climates such as Latin America, rather than in temperate climates like Europe. Generally, pressure from environmental indicators are not yet taken seriously enough. ECAF (European Conservation Agriculture Federation)

Conservation Agriculture has great potential in sub-Saharan Africa because it can control erosion, gives more stable yields and reduces labour. In the South Asian rice-wheat area, there have been 50% increases in net benefits through the direct seeding of wheat in the rice crop or stubble, compared with conventional tillage before seeding.

Consevation Agriculture requires management skills and equipment that might not be available, especially to small-scale farmers, technical and financial support is needed.
To get started with cnservation agriculture, the minimum a farmer needs, is a zero tillage planter. Buying one without knowing the system or even having seen it, is a risk that few farmers are prepared to take and poor populations will never succeed in getting one.

Dissemination of the concept of Conservatory Agriculture in Latin America, has turned out a major success. Africa, Central Asia and the Indo-Ganges Plains are now on target.

Biosaline Agriculture and aquaculture in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region

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West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region has extensive desert areas and high salinity of the soil due to the invasion of sea water and the irrigation with saline water. Recovering unproductive salty areas with halophyte plants may help food security in these regions.

The Inter-Islamic Network for Biosaline Agriculture INBA, together with International Center for Biosaline Agriculture ICBApromote biosaline agriculture coordinates the researche on biosaline agriculture and the development of a database on this subject.

Halophyte plants

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A halophyte plants grows where it is affected by salinity in the root area or by salt spray, such as in saline semi-deserts, mangrove swamps, marshes and sloughs, and seashores. An example of a halophyte is the salt marsh grass Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Relatively few plant species are halophytes - perhaps only 2% of all plant species. The large majority of plant species are "glycophytes," and are damaged fairly easily by salinity.

One quantitative measure of salt tolerance is the "total dissolved solids" in irrigation water that a plant can tolerate. Sea water typically contains 40 grams per liter (g/l) of dissolved salts. Beans and rice can tolerate about 1-3 g/l, and are considered glycophytes (as are most crop plants). At the other extreme, Salicornia bigalovii (dwarf glasswort) grows well at 70 g/l of dissolved solids, and is a promising halophyte for use as a crop. Plants such as barley (Hordeum vulgare) and the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) can tolerate about 5 g/l, and can be considered as marginal halophytes.

Seed collection of halophytes for the WANA region

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ICBA maintains a collection of seeds of salt-tolerant grasses, vegetables. It also develops sustainable water management systems to irrigate food and forage crops and ornamental plants with marginal and saline water. The collection comprises seeds from other regions such as fodder beet, brassica/rape from Denmark indexFodder beeteand indigenous plant species from the Arabian Peninsula. Moreover, seeds will be produced in sufficient quantity for distribution among partner countries in the WANA region for evaluation and trials.

Other plants of interest for the region are sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

ICBA says that the saltbush Atriplex and buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) have significant potential for saline environment, including. Seeds from promising varieties were multiplied. Wheat (triticum aestivum) salt-resistant seeds from Oman were planted for seed multiplication.

The center newly acquired germplasm of sunflower, canola, guar, pigeonpea, cowpea and chickpea, quinoa, barnyard millet, fodder beet, hyacinth bean, sorghum, pearl millet barley and lupine.

Salinity-tolerant sorghum and pearl millet and barley varieties for saline lands:

Large areas are potentially vulnerable and could easily be damaged by salinization through irrigation. The development of salt-tolerant crop varieties is a cost-effective option for the management of salt-affected lands. Both pearl millet and sorghum are two main fodder crops of the WANA region that can play a significant role in filling gaps in farm productivity and crop-livestock systems. Pearl millet and sorghum were evaluated under field conditions at three salinity levels (EC 5, 10 and 15 dS m-1) at ICBA , in Oman, India, Iran, and Egypt. Pearl millet and sorghum are the fifth and sixth most important cereal crops worldwide.

Drip irrigation on raised beds in Bangladesh:

This technology is being proposed by researchers of ICBA for Bangladesh to bring salt-affected lands estimated at 0.88 million hectares under cultivation.

During the driest months of March and April, salinity problems resulting from seawater intrusion are acute and no cultivation is possible. Cash crops like tomato, watermelon, cucumber and chili may, however, be cultivated using the drip irrigation on raised mulch beds technology. This permits the leaching of salts from the root zone and provides a fourfold crop compared with traditional practices.

ICBA says that rainwater harvesting provides a reliable source of irrigation water during the dry season. The ponds where water is stored can also be used for aquaculture.

Return Water from Prawn farm in Saudi Arabia:

The National Prawn Company NPC located on the Red Sea coast in Al-Laith, about 450 km from Jeddah. has an annual production of 10,000 tons.

Seawater is pumped to the shrimp ponds. The return water contains a significant load of nutrients and organic residue from the prawn farming activities, is being used in agricultural production as well as coastal rehabilitation. A nearby lagoon has potential for rehabilitation with local mangrove species (Avicennia marina) along the inner shores.

The return seawater for the production of halophytes for forage, environmental beautification, biomass energy and organic fertilizers. Further mangrove plantation will be expanded at the barrier island and the return water canal.

ICBA scientists planted seedlings in the field, for use mainly as windbreaks. Conocarpus and Salvadora spp. were sufficiently sturdy to protect other species inside the area. Mangrove seeds collected from the coastal plantations were acclimatized under different salinity conditions and currently kept in the shallow water of the lagoon at high salinity levels.

Mangroves species:

According to ICBA around 42 per cent of mangroves grow in South and South East Asia, 27 per cent in Americas, 16 per cent in West Africa, 10 per cent in Australia, 6 per cent in East Africa and the Middle East. Avicennia marina is the only native mangrove species growing in the UAE.

Forage production systems using nonconventional salt-tolerant grasses and highly saline water:

A long-term field studies on sustainable and economically feasible forage production systems using nonconventional salt-tolerant grasses and highly saline water were performed. The researchers from ICBA found two highly salt-tolerant grass species, Sporobolus virginicus and Distichlis spicata suitable as forage production systems.

The authors concluded that maximum dry matter yield is achieved at higher levels of fertilizer and irrigation in Distichlis and by high levels of fertilizer and medium levels of irrigation in Sporobolus. Both plants were found to be extremely productive under saline irrigation presenting good quality of the forage nearly comparable to green barley. Distichlis can be irrigated with the salinity equivalent of seawater, and Sporobolus presents a high growth at high salinity level.

Atriplex species under high salinity conditions:

Atriplex lentiformis, A. nummularia and A. halimus are salt tolerance and value are high-protein animal feed. However, animals do not thrive if fed solely on Atriplex because it contains high concentrations of mineral salts. A 50:50 mixture of salt-tolerant Atriplex shrubs and grasses such as Sporobolus can provide a balanced diet, and lead to growth comparable to that of Rhodes grass.

Recovering salinity damaged land:

A farm which had been abandoned due to high salinity damage was recovered with highly salt-tolerant plants and halophytes in 2006 using grasses and shrubs such as Sporobolus, Distichlis and Atriplex . Cenchrus ciliaris (buffelgrass) and fodder beet were among the few non-halophytic species which gre w there. An African Cenchrus ciliaris variety showed excellent growth under Irrigation water salinity reaching up to EC 20-22 dS m-1

Development of sustainable salt-tolerant forages for sheep and goat production:

This project aims at improving the sustainability of sheep and goat production systems by increasing the availability of forage resources through the introduction of salt-tolerant forages.

Halophytic grasses:

Sporobolus virginicus, Distichlis spicata, Paspalum and Kallar grass, all provided by ICBA, showed excellent growth under different salinity treatments.

Shrubs and trees:

Three shrubs (Atriplex lentiformis, A. nummularia and A. halimus) and one tree species (Acacia ampliceps) showed excellent growth under salinity treatment.

Fodder beet:

Varieties Turbo, Adagio and Abando showed the highest yield, despite high salinity level.

NyPa Forage grass

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Halophytes that can flourish under seawater irrigation have huge potential in many coastal regions. NyPa grass (Distichlis spicata var.Yensen 4a) developed by NyPa International is one such halophyte. It can be grown with seawater and has a good forage/forage/fodder value. The variety is currently marketed internationally as NyPa Forage.

ICBA and NyPa signed an MoU to test the germplasm for its growth and forage potential in the coastal conditions - both arid and humid - of the Middle East. Using seawater for irrigation, NyPa Forage has proved to be successful and feasible, providing an excellent opportunity for converting barren coastal areas into forage production areas.

Water logging is also not an issue with NyPa Forage due to specialised tissue running the length of the root system, which allows oxygen from the leaves to be transported down to the roots, allowing them to grow in waterlogged conditions, the same mechanism which allows rice to grow in waterlogged conditions. It has a deep roots system, that has been traced down to 1.5m, which allows it to access the watertable. Currently NyPa Forage is being assessed across Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Agroforestry trial using Acacia ampliceps, Sporobolus arabicus and Paspalum vaginatum at different salinity levels:

An agroforestry system includes production of tree species along with other plants so that the species benefit each other through nutrient and water management Sporobolus (foreground) and Acacia (background) have proved complementary crops in agroforestry trials.

Date palms:

Among imported cultivars, Um-Al-Hamam showed the weakest performance and could not survive at any salinity levels. Among other varieties, Ajwat-ul-Madinah, Nabatat Saif, Nabatat Sultan and Sukkari showed best growth indicators. Average fruit production of the imported varieties was lower than the local varieties. Ajwat-ul- Madinah, Rhothan and Sukkari showed best performance among the varieties tested Zero-tillage
Special seeding equipment should be used. During tillage elimination herbicides will be necessary. Specialized drills to get the seeding in the earth are necessary. Straw and chaff must be well spread across the width of the swath at harvest.

Land	1999-2000 Hectares
USA	19,760,000
Brazil	13,470,000
Australia	8,640,000
Canada	4,080,000
Mexico	800.000
Bolivia	200.000
Chile	96.000
Colombia	70.000
Uruguay	50.000
Venezuela	50.000

Government farm programs and market conditions are sometimes against good crop rotation practices. Disease, weed and insect control must be kept in mind. Diseases are a major concern and must be handled with by rotation and other management practices.

The ideal crop rotation alternates between cereal crops and oilseeds or legumes from one year to the next. For example, a wheat canola barley flax rotation allows to avoid disease carryover from one crop to the next. It allows the control of volunteer plants from the previous crop and the control of weeds which might not have been controlled by herbicides used the year before. The yearly switch from cereals to broadleaf crops makes it possible to break the cycle of insects and diseases attacking a crop grown continuously on the same field.

Residue of wheat contains survival structures for many pathogens such as tan spot fungus, septoria leaf and glume blotch fungi, scab or head blight. Zero-tillage increases risks of diseases because the fungal structures are not incorporated into the soil where microbes degrade straw and destroy the disease organism. Alternating cereal/broadleaf rotation will help to get this under control.


Decades of Zero Tillage

In the 40s - The chemical 2.4 D released to farmers.
In the 50s - Grammoxone synthesis (UK: 1955).
In the 60s - Grammoxone released to farmers in 1961.
In Brazil: late 60s and early 70s.


The 70s ZT started in Paraná. Machinery development. Release of modern herbicides beginning with glyphosate purpose-built herbicides). ZT in the decade was more expensive than CT. In the 80s - Cover crops and crop rotations, weed control mechanization introduced. Better understanding of ZT system. Direct costs turned equal to conventional tillage (late 80s) First university chair in Zero Tillage (Paraná).

In the 90s - Cover crops for Cerrado were introduced.

EMBRAPA and "Friends of the Land" clubs started project of Water Resources Research and extension courses on ZT increasing interest by Universities.

The wet/dry tropical savannah region, known as the Cerrado, covers approx. 204 million hectares in tropical Brazil. Its development is regarded by Dr. Norman Borlaug - the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for his plant breeding work that founded the Green Revolution - as the world's most important agricultural expansion

zone of the 20th century. But that development depends mainly on soil improvements. The areas of pastures, annual crops, permanent crops and forestry is not less than 47 million hectares. The recent and rapid adoption of Zero Tillage in this region has been phenomenal.

Zero-Tillage in Brazil:
It began with the implementation of Zero Tillage by one farmer in 1972 on less than 500 hectares. By 1980 about 200,000 hectares were recorded, mainly in the subtropical conditions of the State of Paraná. Since then - mostly within the last 9 years - the growth in area has been exponential, with now over 9,000,000 hectares in the country as a whole, about two-thirds of which to date have been in the southerly States of Paraná, Sta. Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul, and Mato Grosso do Sul. Most of the other one third of the area under ZT has developed in the subhumid tropical region of the Cerrado, from almost nothing in 1990 to about about 3,000,000 hectares to date.

The methodology has recently begun to spread also into the humid tropical Amazon region, where positive initial results are reported from the States of Mato Grosso, Rondonia, Roraima, Acre, Amapá and Pará. Indications are that spread continues very rapidly in all areas. The technology thus works in Brazil, both agronomically and economically, in a range of diverse soil/climate conditions.

It is notable that the expansion of ZT has most effectively been by farmer-to-farmer spread Brazil-wide, particularly through the affiliated network of 'Friends of the Land Clubs' and State Extension services of Brazil's southern States and Mato Grosso do Sul. It includes the land of small farmers with manual planters or animal-drawn implements up to large mechanised units of 5,000 hectares or more.

The following benefits are recorded to have flowed from zero-tillage farming, both individuals and wider society:

- Conservation of bio-diversity in soil, terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora;
- Sustainable high yield levels, resulting in lessened pressure to open new land;
- Heightened environmental awareness among farmers;
- Winter feed, and shelter for fauna;
- Economies of 10-20% in use of water in irrigation;
- Undecomposed crop residues acting as a carbon sink, estimated as fixing about 1 tonne of carbon per hectare;
- Fossil fuel use reduced by 40-70- Enhanced food security through greater resistance to drought effects;
- Reduction of erosion losses by around 90%, with many consequential benefits:

-Significantly less silting of surface waters including reservoirs for hydroelectricity and irrigation;
-Virtual elimination of pollution of these waters by soil-applied agricultural chemicals;
-More groundwater recharge, and less flooding:
"Zero Tillage is the only macro-economic solution which can respond to the conflicting demands of more food at lower prices while ensuring sustainability - in fact land quality is continually increasing under ZT." (Landers, 1999).

Zero-tillage and environment
Here again the modification of environment due to extreme application of manure and other animal wastes of heavy breeding can be compared with the problems created by sugar cane in the sugar-cane belt with the spread of Cholera epidemics.
Zero-tillage could be an instrument to diminish the impact an the environment from heavy breeding populations.

Zero-tillage, a hope for the Amazon region
There are many millions of hectares of degraded pastures in the Amazon and Cerrado regions. ZT technology now exists to turn these pastures into productive cropland, which would reduce the pressure to open new lands for crop production. Especially relevant is the potential to rotate these crop areas with highly productive pastures, allowing absorption of herd growth without the need to form new pastures on newly cleared land. This potential is so great that even a total ban on clearing would not have a significant impact on agricultural production for many years. It should be possible to promote a policy of incentives to this end, supported by international funding.

The incentives would have to be adequate to cover extraction of old stumps and leveling of irregularities caused by erosion so that the reclamation of these old cleared areas would become significantly more profitable than clearing new land.

Diseases and pests
End-of-season leaf diseases in late-planted maize (especially Phaeospheria and some new ones for which there is no resistance);

- In the Dourados municipality of Mato Grosso do Sul, the ZT Club reported a reversion of 50% of area to CT because of the chestnut soil beetle. This pest is extremely erratic in its appearance and can be controlled by insecticide at planting.
- Control of persistent weeds where herbicide control is very expensive.

A more diverse rotation is the solution to these ills.

Some strategies and concepts that could be examined are :
- Legume-enriched fallows or grass/legume mixtures for weed control, biomass generation, and nitrogen accumulation, taking advantage of sporadic rains; these could be selectively grazed as protein banks in an emergency;
- Legal provisions in rental agreements to give sharecroppers or tenants the use of their land all year round without the obligation of having to allow the landowner's cattle to graze in the dry season, and with the provision for a fallow period, all within a fenced area;
- Large paddock grazing of livestock with management of native species for maximum re-generation and fodder production; for example Stylosanhtes humilis is native in the region and responds with heavy seed set under zero grazing in this period;
- A rotation where a long fallow generates high-lignin and durable residues for a short crop sequence; A total ban on burning; (Villagers in Madagascar passed a local law forbidding the burning of the savannah because they had learnt to cut and carry this material for mulching annual crops under Zero Tillage; in the Northeast of Brazil, this no-burning strategy is already customary since fire destroys the fodder for the landlords' cattle!)

The mulch cover of Zero Tillage and Conservation Agriculture in semi-arid areas would improve the soil water balance and promote higher yields, while the greater infiltration capacity would ensure more rainfall stored in the soil profile when the heavy rains, which do occasionally occur in semi-arid areas, would run off under Conventional Tillage.

Sri Lanka, the price of conventional farming
The Polonnaruwa district, in the North Central Province, is one of the best areas in Sri Lanka for crops. It has a favourable climate and good soil, backed by a network of irrigation canals providing a regular supply of water. But 30 of its small farmers committed suicide in 1995.

They struggled in vain to get the minimum needed to keep their heads above water. They had borrowed heavily to buy chemicals and fertilizers and hire tractors and were now unable to pay back the debts. Modern agricultural methods have eroded fertile land in Sri Lanka, marginalized poor farmers, indigenous farming knowledge was lost in the name of scientific progress. Local food varieties and farming systems, adapted to environmental conditions had been abandoned

Alternative systems must be reintroduced in the areas where conventional agriculture has not been successful.

Harmony with the environment
G. K. Upawansa, is rediscovering and promoting indigenous farming systems in Nawalapitiya, some 40 kilometres from Kandy.

Rice is the staple food of Sri Lankans. Nearly 80 per cent of the population live in rural areas and paddy (rough rice) is the main peasant crop. [1695]

Reduced yelds of less than one and half tons per acre, compared with normal three tons of conventional paddy rice cultivation in Shi Lankla are seen by
G. K. Upawansa to be caused by indiscriminate agro chemical application and the effects of soil erosion caused by inappropriate land preparation techniques responsible for low yelds. He shows alternatives to further disruption of agriculture and new techniques for small peasants. [1694] Working together with a group of non-governmental organizations in Sri Lanka, Upawansa developed an alternative process of agriculture. the basis of rural subsistence.This consists of:

Items	Conventional agriculture	Chemical-Free Farming-
		Organic farming in Sri
		Lanka
Intensive tillage	Slowly degrades farmland	Minimal tillage is beneficial
		to farmland
Chemical ferlizers	Kill microbes in soil	Natural resources and
	affecting ability to fix	atmosphere nitrogen.
	nitrogen.
Pesticides	Destroy insects and	Natural predators of crop
	animals which maintain a	pests build up.
	check on pests. Wipe out
	insect predators.
	Resistance to pesticides
	develops.
Weed control	Keeps the land free of	Weeds harbour predators of
	weeds as they compete	crop pests and enrich and
	with crops for nutrients	conserve the soil.
	and harbour pests.
Trees	Remove trees to allow more	Removal of trees harms soil
	sunlight.	fertility.
Religious beliefs and	With monetary values. In	During the planting and
values	times of need, farmers	harvesting of crops, some people
	now have nothing to hold	perform religious practices to invoke
	on to.	the blessings and protection
		of the Gods.
		Important psychological
		effects in case of a bad crop.
		The farmer can find
		solace in religious practice,
		which would sustain his
		commitment
Cropping	Mono cropping	Mixed cropping

The simple rules of the system:

- Cropping according to the needs of communities and local methods of cultivation.
- Composting farm waste and organic matters.
- Plant extracts used as biological pesticides and natural predators as pest control.
- Local weather patterns and climatic rhythms should determine cropping pattern.
- Minimal tillage using village implements like country ploughs which only loosens but never turns the soil.
- Mixed cropping.

Reintroduce cultural and religious practices when harvesting and planting crops.

Several considerations must be kept in mind:
1- Some degraded resources can be restored or rehabilitated and every effort must be made to do this wherever feasible.
2- Degraded or depleted natural resources may be partly substituted by man-made or alternative ones.
3- Techniques to avoid degradation exist which could be developed if efforts are accelerated.
4- Such institutions as land rights and the security or management of common resources can be organized or improved to greatly enhance incentives and opportunities for conservation.
5- Price incentives and regulations can be used to reduce pressure on natural resources.
6- Decentralization of resource management combined with local-level decision-making and implementation should be encouraged as environmental problems are often location-specific and need local and traditional knowledge, together with new and modern technology, if they are to be solved successfully.

There are indications that about one-fifth of the world's land area is degraded to some extent, though this should be considered only as a preliminary estimate, since the data are rather weak both on the extent of land degradation and on its effect on productivity and sustainability.

But it is widely agreed that losses in crop productivity due to degradation are significant and widespread in rangelands and hilly and dryland areas. And between 0.3 and 1.5 million hectares of irrigated land are lost each year through waterlogging and salinization.

Sustainable agriculture

The concept of sustainable agriculture is a relatively recent response to the decline in the quality of the natural resource base associated with modern agriculture. It has its roots in the value that reflecst a state of empowerment, of ecological and social responsibilities and of one's ability to take effective action.

It involves management procedures that work with the natural process to conserve resources, promote agroecosystem self regulation and minimize waste and environmental impact while maintaining or enhancing profitability of the production system.

Agroecosystem

The prevalent philosophy is that pests, nutrient deficiencies or other factors are the cause of low productivity, as opposed to the view that pests or nutrients only become limiting if conditions in the agroecosystem are not in equilibrium.

For this reason, there still prevails a narrow view that specific causes affect productivity, and overcoming the limiting factor via new technologies, continues to be the main goal. This view has diverted agriculturists from realizing that limiting factors only represent symptoms of a more systemic disease inherent to unbalances within the agroecosystem and from an appreciation of the context and complexity of agroecological processes thus underestimating the root causes of agricultural limitations (Altieri et al. 1993).

Principles of Agroecosystem
Agroecology goes beyond a one-dimensional view of agroecosystems - their genetics, agronomy, edaphology, and so on,- to embrace an understanding of ecological and social levels of co-evolution, structure and function.

Instead of focusing on one particular component of the agroecosystem, agroecology emphasizes the interrelatedness of all agroecosystem components and the complex dynamics of ecological processes. Agroecosystems are communities of plants and animals interacting with their physical and chemical environments that have been modified by people to produce food, fibre, fuel and other products for human consumption and processing.

The design of such systems is based on the application of the following ecological principles:
1. Enhance recycling of biomass and optimizing nutrient availability and balancing nutrient flow.
2. Securing favorable soil conditions for plant growth, particularly by managing organic matter and enhancing soil biotic activity.
3. Minimizing losses due to flows of solar radiation, air and water by way of microclimate management, water harvesting and soil management through increased soil cover.
4. Species and genetic diversification of the agroecosystem in time and space.
5. Enhance beneficial biological interactions and synergisms among agrobiodiversity components thus resulting in the promotion of key ecological processes and services.

Strategies of Agroecosystem
Various strategies to restore agricultural diversity in time and space include crop rotations, cover crops, intercropping, crop/livestock mixtures, and so on, which exhibit the following ecological features:
1. Crop Rotations. Temporal diversity incorporated into cropping systems, providing crop nutrients and breaking the life cycles of several insect pests, diseases, and weed life cycles (Sumner 1982).
2. Polycultures. Complex cropping systems in which tow or more crop species are planted within sufficient spatial proximity to result in competition or complementation, thus enhancing yields (Francis 1986, Vandermeer 1989).
3. Agroforestry Systems. An agricultural system where trees are grown together with annual crops and/or animals, resulting in enhanced complementary relations between components increasing multiple use of the agroecosystem (Nair 1982).
4. Cover Crops. The use of pure or mixed stands of legumes or other annual plant species under fruit trees for the purpose of improving soil fertility, enhancing biological control of pests, and modifying the orchard microclimate (Finch and Sharp 1976).
5. Animal integration in agroecosystems aids in achieving high biomass output and optimal recycling (Pearson and Ison 1987).

Campylobacter in organic poultry

Tom Humphrey, Professor of Food Safety at Bristol University was engaged in a government-fonded survey ob bacteria in poultry in November 2003. Free-range and organic chickens were found twice as likely as battery hens to be contaminated with the food-poisoning bacteria Campylobacter.

The strains of Campylobacter collected have not yet been identified so it is impossible to know whether the organic chickens tested contained strains of Campylobacter capable of causing food poisoning,

According to Richard Young from the Soil Association the lower use of antibiotics in organic poultry farms will make it less likely that such strains are resistant to antibiotics.

These findings were also confirmed in November 2003 by Swiss researches. Chickens raised in an animal-friendly way are more healthy, so they need less treatment with antibiotics and so their Campylobacter are less resistant to antibiotics. But the other side of the story is that these chickens go outside more often, so they are in more contact with wild birds, which is the reservoir of Campylobacter. In the US, 90 per cent of Campylobacter strains isolated from poultry meat had resistance to at least one, and 45 per cent to at least two antibiotics, commented the researchers.

Worries over antibiotic resistant bacteria led the EU, in 1999, to ban the use of four antibiotics as growth promoters in chickens. The US Food and Drugs administration (FDA) followed their lead in late 2000 by banning the use of a particular class of antibiotics called fluorquinolones in poultry farming.

Resistance to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline and erythromycin - the most important antibiotics for treating Campylobacter infection in humans are developing.

Conclusion
Increase of fertilizer fail to increase yields accordingly:It seems that the old formula of combining more and more fertilizer with ever higher-yielding varieties to expand the grain harvest is no longer working very well.

The future of global food will relay on a conventional farming implementing new findings of pest control in the developed world. The food supply in the third world will depend on local systems which uses knowledge of ancestry specifically suited for the local need.

The green revolution will hardly succeed in taking foot in arid and poverish regions because there are no funds to pay for pesticides and fertilizers. Systems like the no-chemicals agriculture from Upawanza should be strongly supported as a sustainable agriculture with local importance.

Organic agriculture and nitrogen fertilizer

[1691]
Research made by Sasha B. Kramer and colleagues at the Stanford University found that fertilising apple trees with synthetic chemicals produced more adverse environmental effects than feeding them with organic manure or alfalfa. They claim that the increase use of nitrogen-based fertilizer to cause a substantial nitrogen pollution and ecological damage.

Harold A. Mooney, Professor of Environmental Biology at Stanford, co-author of the study, says that the use of organic versus chemical fertilizers can play a role in reducing these adverse effects.

The PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)study was conducted in an apple orchard in central Washington. Three different groups of trees had been raised, one with conventional synthetic fertilizers, one grown organically, and a third group by integrated farming combining organic and conventional agricultural techniques.

The authors come to the conclusion that conventional agriculture has made tremendous improvements in crop yield but at large costs to the environment, an organic farming cannot provide for all of our food needs, but it is certainly one important tool for use in our striving for sustainable agricultural systems.

Falling nutritional quality of vegetables from conventional agriculture [1692]
Dr David Thomas from the SEER (Sustainable Ecological Earth Regeneration) Centre, backed organic agriculture as he made a comparison of government tables published in 1940, and again in 2002 suggesting that modern farming practices have led to nutrient-poor food. According to Dr. Thomas the data of these tables show that the nutritional quality of vegetables has significantly fallen over the last few decades.
As an outcome of this study Dr. Thomas says that food manufacturers need to promote not just good looking, wonderful tasting and great smelling food, but also nutrient-rich food. He says that iron content in meat and milk, as well as minerals like magnesium and copper which are essential for enzyme functioning had dropped significantly.
David Pimentel comparing statistics on soil erosion calls on the fact that soil from land areas is being lost faster than it is renewed. Erosion is fast in China and India. Pimentel suggests that demineralisation of the soil could be stopped using cover crops when the land is not in use. [1693]

Pesticides and changes to the diets of animals has altered their body fat composition, omega-3 has declined but omega-6 has increased. Together with a general lack of vitamins and minerals these changes can lead to depression, concentration and memory problems.

Mental Health and nutrition.[1696]
The Mental Health Foundation Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming say that there is growing evidence that diet plays an important contributory role in specific mental health problems including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.

According to the Foundation a generally healthy diet, as recommended for the physical health of the body - containing the necessary range of micro- and macronutrients and minimising the consumption of unhealthy nutrients, and no single nutrient can assure good brain development. [1697]

Omega-3 fatty acids may interfere with the development of Alzheimer Disease [1698]
Yvonne Freund-Levi and colleagues found in a study published in the Archives of Neurology , that the administration of omega-3 fatty acid in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease did not delay the rate of cognitive decline. However, positive effects were observed in a small group of patients with very mild Alzheimer disease.

The authors cannot explain how omega-3 fatty acids may interfere with the development of Alzheimer's disease, but suggest that the benefits in the very mild forms of the disease may be linked to the fish oil's anti-inflammatory effects.

However, when the disease is clinically apparent, the neurological tissue damage is too advanced to be attenuated by anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3 fatty acids. The authors cite a critical period of two years or more before the onset of dementia to be critical for the anti-inflammatory effects of the omega-3 fatty acids.

This calls for an increase of omega-3 fatty acid intake from dietary or supplemental sources.

Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of development of Alzheimer Disease[1708]
Dr Nikolaos Scarmeas and colleagues studied the diet of Alzheimer disease patients. They found that those in the top third of scores for consumption of the Mediterranean diet, had 68% lower odds of having AD than those in the bottom one third. Subjects in the middle third, had 53% lower odds of getting AD. The authors suggest that the diet's AD protective effects may be related to its antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effects and to a positive effect on blood vessel health.

Curry spice tumeric may reduce the risk of development of Alzheimer Disease [1709]
Milan Fiala and colleagues studyed the activity of curcuminoids from curry spice turmeric. The authors found that curcuminoids could help the body's immune system clear away plaques composed of beta-amyloid deposits. Macrophages from Alzheimer disease patients were exposed in vitro to curcuminoids, improving the ingestion of amiloid deposits. Macrophages o younger patients in an early stage of the disease were benefiting the most.

The authors suggest that immunomodulation of the innate immune system by curcuminoids might be a safe approach to immune clearance of amyloidosis in Alsheimer disease brain.

Pomegranate juice and reduction of risk of Azheimer disease[1710]
In a study conducted by R. E. Hartman the high content of polyphenols of pomegranate juice reduced the deposition of amyloid beta deposition in brains of rats. The author calls for further studies whether pomegranate Juice can protect against Alzheimer disease in humans.

Ellagic acid in pomegranates
The highest levels of ellagic acid are found in raspberries, strawberries, and pomegranates. Extracts from red raspberry leaves or seeds, pomegranates, or other sources are said to contain high levels of ellagic acid, and are available as dietary supplements in capsule, powder, or liquid forms. The best dose of these preparations is not known. Because they are sold as dietary supplements (as opposed to drugs), companies that sell them do not have to prove they are effective, or even safe, as long as they don't claim they can prevent, treat, or cure a specific disease. [1711]

Ellagic acid is not the most significant of the polyphenol content of pomegranade, but was proposed to be used as indicator of the concentration of pomegranate in juices, other probiotic foods and dietary supplements. A test procedure for ellagic acid has been developed. [1712]

Recover of natural antioxidants of industrial fruit and vegetable waste

[1716] Looking for an alternative to synthetic preservatives such as like BHA and BHT Wieland Peschel and colleagues analysed waste products from processing of fruit and vegetables of the juice and canning industry as well of the remains from harvesting from fruits and vegetables.

Extraction yield, total phenolic content, and antioxidants with the highest activity, economic justification and phenolic content were found in this study in apple, pear, tomato, golden rod and artichoke.

The best yields were obtained with polar solvents like water and methanol. Supercritical fluid extraction was also used in this screening.

This study demonstrates the possibility of recovering high amounts of phenolics with antioxidant properties from fruit and vegetable residuals not only for food as preservative but also cosmetic applications.

Golden rod and artichoke had high radical scavenging. The apple extract yield was higher and had high efficiency in two of the antioxidant tests.

Efficiency of golden rod, artichoke and apple extract was lower compared with commercial BHT. Golden rod extract and the apple extracts were more efficient in the DPPH free radical scavenging test than BHT.

Omega-3 fatty acids in Alpine cheese [1713]
Hauwith and colleagues compared the fatty acid composition of Alpine cheese and cheese of other origin. Fresh alpine grass contains high amounts of alfa linoleic acid (ALA) and may influence the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the cheese of milk from cows with alpine grass feeding compared with cheese from silage and concentrate feeding. The authors found that the Emmental reached 40% of the ALA content compared with alpine cheese, and surprisingly, cheese from linseed-supplemented cows contained only 49% of that of the alpine cheese. They concluded that cheese made of milk from cows grazed on alpine pastures had a more favourable fatty acid profile than all other cheese types. Alpine cheese may be a relevant source of ALA and other cardioprotective fatty acids.

Milk from the Himalayas healthier than milk from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets

[1714] Mamun Or-Rashid and colleagues 2008 compared the fatty acid composition of cheese from yak (Bos grunniens) from Nepalese Himalayas with that of Canadian dairy cow Cheddar cheese.

The authors found that the yak cheese had a higher level of total long-chain saturated fatty acids and a 3.2 times higher content of total n-3 PUFA than cow cheese. The total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in YC was 2.3% of total fatty acids compared to 0.57% in DC. The cis-9, trans-11 CLA isomer in YC constituted 88.5% of the total CLA.

CLA from dairy products such as milk, cheese and meat are formed by bacteria in ruminants that convert plant linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid.

The researchers concluded that cheese from yak, grazed on Himalayan alpine pastures, may have a more healthful fatty acid composition compared to cheese manufactured from dairy cattle fed grain-based diets.

This may support studies claiming the milk from organically reared cows at mountain pastures to be healthier compared with conventional rearing at lower altitude.

Comparison of the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk[1715]
Ellis and colleagues compared the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk. They identified a number of factors other than farming system which affected milk fatty acid content including month of year, herd average milk yield, breed type, use of a total mixed ration, and access to fresh grazing.

The authors concluded that organic dairy farms in the United Kingdom produce milk with a higher polyunsaturated fatty acids content, particularly n-3 fatty acids, throughout the year, stressing that knowledge of the effects of season, access to fresh grazing, or use of specific silage types could be used by producers to enhance the content of beneficial FA in milk.

Reduction of copper as fungicide in organic agriculture
The downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) is a fungus which was brought from America to Europe in 1878 spreading quickly through wine yards. Apple orchards are now menaced by Venturia inaequalis causing scab in cool, rainy conditions in the spring. Early leaf loss reduces the vitality of the trees and spots on apples render them difficult to sell.

Organic growers in Europe use copper, sulphur and lime sulphur. Copper will be banned turning it necessary to search for a replacement.

REPCO: Replacement of copper fungicides in organic production of grapevine and apple in Europe

[1717] [1719]

Replacement of Copper Fungicides in Organic Production of Grapevine and Apple in Europe The objective of REPCO is to replace copper fungicides in organic agriculture by new measures. Up to 38 kg had been permitted for organic agriculture. The Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91, Annex II demands a gradual reduction of copper with start in 2007 to protect environment
Knowledge and material of the REPCO project will be exchanged with ongoing projects on potato late blight control in organically grown potato.

Yucca extract preventive effect on scab in apples [1720]
Yucca extract was found to have preventive and curative effect on scab in apples by researchers of Wageningen University and Research Centre (Netherlands). The researchers, participating with the REPCO program, point out that the extract prevents the fungus from budding, avoiding an infection of the plant. The curative effect lasts one day the plant is infected. A patented product will be placed on market.

No genetic pressure by organic copper replacement [1721]
Cesare Gessler analysing the genetic code of Plasmopara viticola found that no variant of the fungus could develop resistance and to pass it on. The authors of the study say that there is no genetic pressure by organic replacement because the fungus is attacked from various sides and cannot find a way to counter. In one case treated plants developed resistance to the infection., The authors say that synthetic fungicides attack the fungus from one side, therefore resistance can develop.

Citrus-extract comparable to copperoxychlorid treatment against scab [1718]
Collar and Pfeifer in 2003 found that mixtures of Quillaja-saponine and sulphur reduced effectively apple scab incidence, but rain stability of citrus-extract and Quillaja-saponine showed a lower efficacy against scab after 5 mm rain. They suggest mixtures of Citrus-extract with the adhesives GREEMAX and BIOPLUSS to be comparable to copperoxychloride corresponding to 400 g elementary copper per ha.

Vinasse as an alternative to copper fungicides citeWageningen vinasse [1723] [1724]
According to researchers at Wagendingen University and Research Centre the application of vinasse can reduce the formation of apple scab ascospores by more than 95 per cent and stimulates leaf degradation during winter. Vinasse is a fermented waste product of the sugar processing industry and is seen as an alternative to copper.

Food and ecology

About 6% of the population of Germany are vegetarians. They want to avoid to harm animals, to avoid food waist as animal feed and last, but not least to reduce greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide emanating from animal breeding. FAO environmental scientist calculated the CO$_{2}$ - equivalence of the different types of nutrition:

The global animal population produce approximately one fifth of greenhouse gases resulting from the activities of mankind. FAO stresses that this is more than the emission of global traffic. CO$_{2}$ emission results from burning forests to prepare land for pastures and feed crops. Dung and liquid manure produce nitrous oxide. Ruminants such as cattle and sheep emit methane. Mechanized agriculture of rape and soy produce more CO$_{2}$. Approximately 6 kilos of vegetable protein are necessary to produce one kilo animal protein.

Lacto-vegetarian nutrition:The Cornell University (Ithaca, USA) found in a study, that the production of one kilo milk protein needs 14 kilocalories of fossile energy, this is the same amount needed for the production of one kilo porc. The German Freiburger Öko Institute writes that 8 litres milk are necessary to produce 1 kilo cheese. [1725]

The CO$_{2}$ - equivalence of the production of 1 kilo, cheese, meat, egg and yoghurt

Product	Emission of
	CO$_{2}$ equivalece
Cheese	8 kilo
Meat	6 kilo
Egg	2 kilo
yoghurt	1 kilo

Soy and feed:According to Jörg Michael Greef from the German from the Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtscaft. The world production of soy is 220 million tons. Germany imports 40 million tons. Three million tons are used for the production of edible oil and other applications. The main core of 37 millions tons are transformed in animal feed. [1726]

Soy farms built monocultures in USA, Argentina and Brazil, where they invade the tropical forest and savannahs. Centralised animal breeding, depending on soy are an environmental false step. Smaller units, depending on local feed are ecology friendly and create jobs.

Palmoil: According to the Environmental Program of the United Nations UNEP, 83% of palm oil comes from Indonesia and Malaysia. The consumption of Palm oil increase , because it is used as food as well as biofuel. Great plantations destroy the tropic forests of Indonesia and Malaysia. [1727]

Kurt-Jürgen Hülsbergen, expert in ecology, says that we need animals, because their manure is an important fertilizer which replaces mineral fertilizers which demand enormous amount of energy in their production. Hülsbergen says that regenerative farming should consider not to have more than one cow or seven pigs on one hectare. This lets nature assimilate manure. [1728]

To protect environment and the global climate the consumer should look for products from their region to avoid transportation over long distances. There is no need to avoid meat, eggs or dairy products, as long as they come from regenerative biologic farms.

Higher levels of ascorbic acid, minerals and antioxidant activity in organic kiwi fruit than in conventional fruits may be due to less pesticides in organic fields [1729]
Maria Amodio and colleagues write that all the main mineral constituents were more concentrated in organic kiwifruits, which also had higher levels of ascorbic acid and total phenol content, resulting in a higher antioxidant activity. Sugars and organic acids composition was not affected by the production system.

The authors believe that the difference between the content of total phenols in plants may be due to the fact that conventional growing practices utilize levels of pesticides that can result in a disruption of phenolic metabolites in the plant, that have a protective role in plant defense mechanisms.

Better cheese with corn silage feed milk than from fresh pasture milk [1730]

Hurtaud and colleauges compared the milk from dairy cows secreting small milk fat globules ( 3.44 millimicra) with that of cows with large milk fat globules (4.53 millimicra) and looked at the effect of pasture feed and soybean meal feed.

Small (SMFG)and large milk fat globules (LMFG) secreting cows
The SMFG dairy cows produced higher yields of milk, protein, and calcium, their milk had lower fat and protein contents a higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids and a lower concentration of short-chain fatty acids, and a higher C18:1/C18:0 ratio which suggests a higher fatty acid elongation and desaturation. than LMFG cows.

The authors suggest that higher calcium of this milk improves cheese despite lower yield because of reduced protein content.

Fresh pasture Feed and corn silage feed
The authors compared fresh pasture supplemented with cereal concentrate against corn silage treatment supplemented with soybean meal.

The fresh pasture feed led to an increase in milk and protein yields lower milk fat yield, to a decrease in milk fat globule size and an increase in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, decreased protein content, lower calcium mineralization of casein micelles, turning the milk less suitable for cheese production.

The authors found no correlation between the cows, based on milk fat globule size and diet. The authors suggest milk fat quality improvement based on milk fat globule size, and composition.

Open Skies deal between EU and US, a rabbit punch to environment
The EU hails the new deal saying that the agreement opens the possibility of an additional 26 million extra passengers on transatlantic flights over a period of 5 years. This compares with current annual traffic of just under 50 million. At the end of the fifth year, this will mean that the market will be 34% higher with the agreement than without the agreement. The cargo market would see growth of between 1 and 2 percent, which is highly significant given the size of the market globally (with the European and American industry accounting for 70% of the global fleet). [1731]

The sad truth
A single flight across the Atlantic can guzzle about 60,000 litres - more fuel than an average motorist uses in 50 years of driving - generating around 140 tonnes of carbon dioxide, along with 750 kilograms of Nitrogen Oxides Emissions. The net result is that pollution from high-flying jets is up to four times as damaging as the same amount released from chimneys and exhaust pipes at ground level. [1732]

All politicians should work together to permit air traffic only to those presenting a satisfactory evidence of extreme necessity of this voyage. Instead of reducing harmful air traffic politicians like Chancellor Angela Merkel, George W. Bush and Tony Blair, support an increase of climate pollution.

Not enough nutritional evidence to recommend organic foods over other foods

[1733]
According to ClaireWilliamson 2007 writing in an article in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture there are limited data claiming that organic foods are more nutritious than conventionally produced foods.

In this review no overall differences in nutritional profiles for food grown conventionally or organically were reported. Only few exceptions were found, such as organic potatoes and leafy organic vegetables which were richer sources of vitamin C than their conventionally grown vegetables.

No differences were found in nutrients of main concern in dairy products such as calcium, zinc, vitamin B2 or vitamin B12. Only in milk less sought after nutrients like linoleic acids , vitamin E, beta- carotene and poyunsaturated fatty acids were found higher in organic milk. However these items are sourced from other foods.

The world market of certified organic foods is growing rapidly. Behind the marketing efforts of retailers international exporters a huge interest of the international business groups is flourishing. Transportation over long distances and even air freight is being considered by the certification boards. [1735]

Avoiding pollution of the environment with pesticides and chemical fertilisers, using crop rotation and good animal husbandry to control pests and diseases are the basics of a sustainable method of agriculture. The primary goal is the protection of the environment. A side-product is the food which is harvested in such environment.

Buying organics grown far away you are doing the best for your supermarket corporation but its not better for your health or the environment than choosing cheaper conventional produces.

If you want to go organics look for small organic farmers, small organic stores which have their ware supplied by surrounding farms, and look for weekly markets of your town.

Ingredients: Organic products of the shelves of your supermarket often do not differ from conventional ones such as organic fruit yoghurt. It has the same addition of 10 per cent of sugar-glucose syrup increasing the risc of obesity and diabetes.

Organics is a philosophy of cohabitation of mankind and nature. On the other hand supermarket shelf ware organics is a genial marketing effort to boost business, the contact with the roots of organics are blurred.

No difference between organic foods and conventional foods concerning trace elements and bioavailability

[1736]
Dr Susanne Bügel and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen investigated major and trace element contents of dried carrots, kale, peas, potatoes and apples and the mineral retention determined in rats fed diets based on these foodstuffs in comparison to conventional foods. The minerals Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, Co, Cd, and V. were studied in this research.

The authors found no differences in content and in retention of minerals between both cultivation systems. In conclusion of the study the belief that organically grown foodstuffs generally contain more major and trace elements than conventionally grown foodstuffs is not supported, neither is the bioavailability of major and trace minerals increased in rats.

No support for conclusion that rats prefer organic feed to conventional ones

[1737]
A study of Young and colleagues 2005 did not support foregoing studies which claimed that rats prefered organic foodstuffs.

The authors wrote that many rats showed individual preference for the experimental diets, but totally no clear difference among the dietary treatments could be obtained, as our data showed preferences conditional on mothers' diet treatments. The present study could therefore not support some of the previous reports (Plochberger and Velmirov, 1992, Mäder et al., 1993, Malheiros et al., 2003, concluding that rats prefer organic feeds to conventional ones.

No definite conclusion could be drawn with regard to the selection of food from one cultivation system in preference to food of another.

Opinions supporting organic food claims

The Danish government's International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems:

The Centre says that it is generally accepted that food grown organically is better for human health than food grown in the conventional way using pesticides, but no scientific studies to back these claims are presented.

The Soil Association in UK:

The Association says that consumers consider aspects like lower pesticide residue levels and less impact on the environment when buying organic produces. The Association criticizes the study of Bügel alleging that results were based on dry weight basis and not on a fresh weight basis, the results were therefore not comparable.The majority of the non-organic fruit and vegetables in soil that had previously been under organic, rather than non-organic, management. The Association cited also the study of Lauridsen 2008 which found that different cultivation methods caused differences in some health-related biomarkers.

Organic foodstuffs cause differences in health-related biomarkers

[1738]
Lauridsen and colleagues 2008 studied the health-related biomarkers effects of different growth conditions of plant foods. They found that rats fed with low pesticides input fodder had a higher serum IgG concentration compared to rats fed with high pesticide input fodder and 14% less adipose tissue, and showed less movement during the day than the other treatments. The liver metabolic function and free malonedialdehyde and fatty acid and alfa tocopherol and the liver concentration of lipid hydroperoxides differed between these two treatments. The authors concluded that different cultivation methods caused differences in some health-related biomarkers and called for more studies on the subject.

Organic milk is better during summer compared with conventional milk, but there is no difference when cows are kept indoor

[1734]
Gillian Butler and colleagues 2008 studied the differences in fatty acid (FA) and antioxidant profiles seasonal differences between organic, high-input, conventional, low-input, organic, and low-input non-organic milk. Lower input farming, relates to the reduced use, and possible complete elimination, of chemical-based fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides in the food supply.

The authors found that during the outdoor grazing period, milk from the organic and non-organic low-input systems had lower saturated FAs, but higher mono- and polyunsaturated FA concentrations compared with milk from the high-input system. Higher concentrations of nutritionally desirable FAs and antioxidants, conjugated linoleic and α-linolenic acids, α-tocopherol and carotenoids, and lower levels of more fatty acids like omega-6 and CLA10, which are linked to detrimental health impacts. compared with milk from conventional milk were also found.

However, high-input and low-input organic systems did not differ in composition when cows were housed. The authors concluded that milk composition is affected by production systems by mechanisms likely to be linked to the stage and length of the grazing period, and diet composition.

Soil Association Standards dept: Airfreight consultation

[1735]
From: Karl Heinz Wilm
Muelenweg 5
26419 Schortens
Germany
author@ourfood.com

To: Soil Association Standards dept.
South Plaza,
Bristol
BS1 3NX

Subject: Airfreight consultation Shortens, 05.06.2007
Dear Sirs!
I appeal to you to stay firm in banning airfreight from organics. Allowing airfreight destroys the foundation of the organic movement, adapting it to the supermarket logistics. This will undermine the confidence of the consumer on the producers and make certification watery.

Organic eyewash
Here are some of your arguments and my comment:

-Isolated initiatives like Tesco and Mark & Spencer: These initiatives are bound to specific produces and are not part of an all round organic label. Only clear commitment to guidelines bringing all products and all producers in one boat.

- Air freight has the highest global warming potential of any form of transport: It is opposed to the deepest principles of organic philosophy. Opening the door for niche products, the whole organic segment will be questionable.

- Air freight enables producers in some of the poorest regions of the world to supply high value fresh fruit and vegetables to Europe.: This is not true, as the poorest have no access to the high technical logistic of air traffic. Only the Australian lobby, specialised on air traffic to USA is interested to sell their surplus to Europe, after a sudden wave of US own produces.

- Empty shelves: Worse than empty shelves is the loss of confidence of the consumer. Airfreighting organics is a scandal.

Your Questions
1- If no ban of air freight is possible the declaration "Transported by Air" in close proximity to the word ORGANIC should be compulsory.
2- But, a ban is indispensable.
3- The next certification renewal should withdraw the approval of the product.

You are doing a good job, and stay firm to the principles of the organic movement
Best regards
Karl Heinz Wilm
www.ourfod-news.com

Soil Association air freighted organic food ensures benefits poor farmers

[1735]
Fraud with organic label comes hand in hand with the discussion about air freight being accepted during organic certification by Soil Association, the UK certifying group.

The Soil Association's Standards Board proposed changes to the Soil Association's standards to ensure that organic food is only air freighted to the UK if it delivers genuine benefits for farmers in developing countries. Air freighted organic foods harm climate and environment and is against the primary meaning or "organic" to a supermarket well selling standard product mass article.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) campaigns the certifiers to allow air freight in organic certification procedures. ITC says that the Swiss organic certifier Bio Suisse will certify airfreighted products under their standard. The Centre fear that if the proposal is approved other European organic certifiers will also ban air freight in order to maintain green "parity" with the Swiss certifier. [1739]

To cope with the mutating meaning of organic produces under mass production it is being suggested to use "Organic" for mass produces from the supermarkets, and another denomination for real organic food fromn small traditional farms.

The absurd Flybe ecolabel

[1740]
According to Ecolabelling Flybe is Europe's largest regional airline, and which has invested over $2 billion in new, environmentally sensitive aircraft over the last two years, has become the first airline in the world to introduce an aircraft eco-labelling scheme. The scheme is in response to the Stern Report's call for "labelling" to help consumers and businesses make sound decisions.

Flybe passengers will be provided at the time of booking via the internet with a detailed but user-friendly breakdown of the fuel consumption, carbon emissions and noise patterns of the aircraft type to be used on their journey.

Air traffic destroys the world of tomorrow. Flybe, Europe's largest regional airline is therefore the largest emission producer high up, where it hurts the most. Regional business flights are responsible for the crowded European Sky.

Its is amazing to see that airlines advertise in environment sites and hide their malpractices under an ecolabel. This discredits labels. Another discrediting action is admitting air transportation for organic foods.

OurFood calls on the European Commission and the NGOs to impose a 100 percent tax on flight tickets. Unnecessary meetings and conferences must be stopped. The work can be done by video conferences and other commodities.


Figure: Contrails at the sky of Wilhelmshaven, Germany. These contrails resulted from heavy domestic air traffic which expand to clouds. CO2, NO2, NOX are a deadly mixture of emission in 10.000 metres.

The loophole of organic food air freighting

[1741]

Soil Association mutates organic food to supermarket standards:

According to a press release 06.03.2008, the Soil Association's Standards Board recommended that the organisation's standards should be changed so that organic produce can only be air-freighted if it also meets the Soil Association's own Ethical Trade or the Fairtrade Foundation's standard [1742].

The Association launched a second round of open consultation launched to comment on the implementation of this recommendation.

Airfreighted foods are not organic. They may be sold as healthy, good delicious foods, but NOT under an organic label. Admitting airfreight, under whatsoever ethical standards, mutates organic food in the supermarket niche. Airfreight is not conform with the principles of the initial organic movement.

If the organic certification organisation Soil Association accepts airfreight in their statute a new denomination should be created:
Organic: as described by the European Organic Directive, airfreighted and marketed by supermarket chains.
Holistic Food , or Nature Food: Produced at small farms following the original principles of organic farming and sold at the farm or small speciality shops. [1743]

International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security

[1744]
The UN's FAO held a conference in Rome last week on Organic Agriculture and Food Security, in partnership with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Rome, 03 - 05 May 2007.The transcription of the documents presented at the Conference are available at : http://www.fao.org/organicag/ofs/docs_en.htm

Summary of outcomes of the Conference

[1745]
FAO underlines in a paper, Organic Agriculture and Food Security, presented at an International Conference on Organic Agriculture and Food Security.

The paper identifies the strengths and weaknesses of organic agriculture with regards to its contribution to food security, analyses attributes of organic supply chains against the Right to Food framework and proposes policy and research actions for improving the performance of organic agriculture at the national, international and institutional levels.

"The strongest feature of organic agriculture is its reliance on fossil-fuel independent and locally-available production assets; working with natural processes increases cost-effectiveness and resilience of agro-ecosystems to climatic stress," the paper says.

"By managing biodiversity in time (rotations) and space (mixed cropping), organic farmers use their labour and environmental services to intensify production in a sustainable way. Organic agriculture also breaks the vicious circle of indebtedness for agricultural inputs which causes an alarming rate of farmers' suicides."

The paper recognizes that "most certified organic food production in developing countries goes to export" and adds that "when certified cash crops are linked with agro-ecological improvements and accrued income for poor farmers, this leads to improved food self-reliance and revitalization of small holder agriculture."

Knowledge and labour intensive

[1745]
The paper underlines that some requirements should be met when converting to organic agriculture, mainly agro-ecological knowledge and labour availability. "Organic management is a knowledge-based approach requiring understanding of agro-ecological processes and it remains a constraint where labour is scarce, such as in populations decimated by HIV/AIDS."

However, labour requirements on organic farms, and the better return on labour, provide employment opportunities where this resource is most abundant, thus safeguarding rural livelihoods, according to FAO expert Nadia Scialabba.

The paper also quotes recent models of a global food supply grown organically which indicate that organic agriculture could produce enough food on a global per capita basis for the current world population.

"These models suggest that organic agriculture has the potential to secure a global food supply, just as conventional agriculture is today, but with reduced environmental impact," according to FAO.

The paper calls on governments to "allocate resources for organic agriculture and to integrate its objectives and actions within their national agricultural development and poverty reduction strategies, with particular emphasis on the needs of vulnerable groups."

It also insists on investment in human resource development and skill training in organic agriculture as part of sustainable development strategies.

The report from the conference will be presented to the 33rd committee on World Food Security. IFOAM expects this will result in FAO policy chances that favour organic agriculture.

Definition of organic agriculture

[1746]
According to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and all existing national regulations, "organic agriculture is a holistic production management system that avoids use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and genetically modified organisms, minimizes pollution of air, soil and water, and optimizes the health and productivity of interdependent communities of plants, animals and people."

Links:

Important links to Organic Agriculture at FAO FAO websites of interest to organic agriculture and database.
http://www.fao.org/organicag/frame9-e.htm

Pre-storage treatment reduces scald losses on organic apple

[1747] Low-oxygen atmosphere for seven days at 20$^{o}C$ prior to cold storage extends shelf life of organic fruit and vegetable according to Edna Pesis. Only 10% of apples were lost due to scald after 8 month of cold storage.

Pesis says that ware which had not been pre-storage treated was completely lost under the same condition. According to the article of Pesis published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture and reported on in Chemistry & Industry, storage of avocados, tomatoes and other organic produce may profit from this technique.

Conventional produce can be treated with chemicals, but no artificial chemicals are used for organics during processing. Treatment of organic apples with a solution of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) is being used for years to reduce scald. This treatment may now be substituted by the none-chemical pre-storage treatment of Pesis.

New label: Organic food nature food, Biokost and Naturproduct European organic food has mutated to mass production under the EU regulation 2092/91 and 1804/1999.

[1748] [1749]

The European Commission in their "European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming" states: "Organic sales through supermarkets are the fastest-growing distribution channel in most markets.For consumers buying organic produce in supermarkets, environmental considerations are thought to be less important, compared to consumers buying produce in specialised organic shops." [1750]

The European organic food regulation clearly demonstrates its commitment to mass production and the supermarkets as distribution channel. This increases monoculture wide fields long transport ways and air freight.

New definition of organic food and nature food

The organic food produced according to the EU regulation differs from the original way of production. It becomes necessary to separate the organic food from supermarkets from the original nature food, produced under strict rules of certifying corporations which follow the original principles of a holistic way of farming.
To make the difference between both types of food the following definition is being suggested:

Nature food (En), Naturkost (D):

Nature food is produced according to rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of a holistic way of farming. These Foods are sold by the producer itself at their farm, at weekly markets or at specialised nature shops. In these shops competent informations are given concerning the origin of the food. The consumer understands that the higher price of nature products is due to diversification of crops at the farm, a species-appropriate animal raising, and environment conservation.

The nature food farmers and the specialised nature shops should keep distance from the words "Organic" or "Biokost because they have become a domain of supermarkets and have undergone a mutation from the original food.

Organic Food (En), (Biokost D):

Organic food is produced according to the EU 2092/91 and 1804/1999 regulation. The consumer expects food produced without agrarian chemicals, like herbicides or pesticides. He expects better taste compared with conventional foods.He looks after low priced products. He is concerned with the welfare of his person and does not care about environment. He is not interested to know the food miles and airfreight of the items he buys. Organic food is primarily sold by supermarket chains.

Some reaction of producer and customers have put the Basic chain of organic supermarkets under pressure not to sale its shares to the Swiss Schwarz group, owner of supermarket chain Lidl.

Farmers' market, a sustainable solution for small farmers

[1751]
Products at farmers' markets are renowned for being locally grown and very fresh.

Farmers' markets advocates believe the markets help farmers stay in business as well as preserve natural resources. Wholesale prices farmers get for their produce are very low, often near the cost of production.

It can be shown that the preservation of farmland is important for the health of the environment and water supply. Sustainably-managed farms conserve soil and clean water in our communities and provide a habitat for wildlife.

UK farmers' markets

[1752]
According to the Councillor' Handbook farmers' markets give smaller local producers an outlet direct to the public enabling them to become less reliant on wholesalers and supermarkets. The Handbook stresses that Trading Standards and Environmental Health Services are closely involved in ensuring the markets achieve the standards required. The Handbook cites Hampshire farmers' markets as a case study. The market has been certified by the National Association of Farmers' Markets [1753].

Produce being sold at all Hampshire's farmers' markets must have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed within Hampshire or ten miles of the border.

US Farmland preservation

citeAmerican farmland trust sustain
American Farmland Trust is helping the county's farmland preservation program into opportunities for direct marketing, value-added products and a vibrant local food and farming system by:

• Identifying municipal barriers that hinder local farmers' ability to connect directly with local consumers;
• Creating a model ordinance that supports a local food system and protects farmers from rural-urban conflicts; and,
• Finding out what other places have done to increase the access of low income populations to local food through token payment programs at farmers' markets.

Farmers' markets in Germany

[1755]
These markets are regulated by Germany the Gewerbeordnung [Trade Code). There is no Farmers' markets certification body in Germany. There are no restrictions like those found in Hampshire which allow only products have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, or processed within the region where markets are taking place or ten miles of the border.

Other great markets like the Hamburger Großmarkt market which supplies foodstuffs from international origin to the great supermarket chains are quite different. Their aim as commercial entity is to make profit. They do not protect local farmers and they have no restrictions on carbon footprint.

Organic Foods in Canada

[1756]
Organic industry is now a billion-dollar industry that has moved from small specialty shops to the country's largest supermarket chains.

The federal government of Canada announced in December 2006 the unified regulation plan, after the European Union had threatened to ban Canadian produce.

Canada exports half of its production of organic wheat. Fearing to lose the half a billion dollars deal over the next decade, Canada introduced the regulation plan.

"Natural" in Canada
There are currently no standards on the use of the word "natural" when labelling agricultural products.

Organics in Brazil

[1758]
It is estimated that the country is sixth in the world in terms of area turned to organic production, with around 890,000 hectares. Brazil is only behind Australia, China, Argentina, Italy and the United States. The main production of organics takes place in the state of Paraná.

Organics Brazil maintains a database of organic export products, their producers and the certifying organisations. [1759]

The Law 10831, [1760] promulgated by the Brazilian President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in 2003 and that launches sector guidelines defines that organic products are all those produced in "organic systems", i.e., free of "synthetic material", "genetically modified organisms" and "ionizing radiations" - which cause cancer. The concept involves social, cultural and environmental aspects.

Hen battery cages in UK banned in 2012

[1761]
Battery cages for hens are scheduled to come under an EU-wide ban in 2012. The European Commission confirmed that the ban will go ahead. The National Farmers Union says the ban must also be applied to imports.

The British Egg Industry Council also says that more than 85 per cent of UK egg producers subscribe to its British Lion Code of Practice which sets animal welfare requirements. [1776]

There is a growing pressure of more ethical food sourcing and livestock treatment to both regulators and consumers.

"Organic food" with GM ingredients

[1762]
The European organic farming legislation at EU was changed in June 2007 and will come into force in January 2009. The legislation allow the use of GM-produced additives for which there is no alternative non-GM method in organic farming, such as animal-derived material raised with feed enriched with GM vitamins and GM enzymes. The finished product may then be labelled as "organic".

German "Non-GM food" with GM components
Based on the new legislation for organics, the German the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) reached a political agreement products using GM vitamins, additives and processing aids where there is no non-GM alternative available may be labelled as "non-GM". This is to encourage the food industry to start using the non-GM labels.

German food industry federation, BLL
The German food industry federation, BLL says this misleads the consumer, thinking there is no intentional touch of GM in the product and the the credibility of the product will be reduced. The BLL will present its arguments at the hearing of the parliament.

EU Organic Regulation 834/2007

[1763] [1764]
The Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 is repealed as from 1 January 2009. The new rules set out a complete set of objectives, principles and basic rules for organic production, and include a new permanent import regime and a more consistent control regime. The use of the EU organic logo will be mandatory, but it can be accompanied by national or private logos. The place where the products were farmed has to be indicated to inform consumers.

Food will only be able to carry an organic logo if at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic. But non-organic products will be entitled to indicate organic ingredients on the ingredients list only. The use of genetically modified organisms will remain prohibited. It will now be made explicit that the general limit of 0.9 percent for the accidental presence of authorised GMOs will also apply to organic products.

The new rules also create the basis for adding rules on organic aquaculture, wine, seaweed and yeasts. The new organic regulation and labelling will come into force in January 2009.

The EU followed the pressure of GM companies including AstraZeneca, BASF Plant Science, Bayer CropScience, Dow AgroSciences, Du Pont, Monsanto and Syngenta. The new regulation increases the current threshold for GM contamination of organic food from 0.1 per cent to 0.9 per cent and allowing the use of GM-produced additives for which there is no GM-alternative the new regulation opens the way for genetically modified material to enter organic food.

High quality of meat from animals raised on biodiverse pastures

[1765]
Prof Henry Buller and colleagues 2008 compared meat quality of animals grazing on natural grasslands and animals raised on intensive systems.

The researchers found lamb meat from biodiverse pastures to have increased vitamin E content with improved shelf life, compared with conventional lamb meat. Higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid were also associated with the biodiverse origin, and the negative taste of grilled meat, caused by the rumen fermentation product skatole was decreased.

The authors recommend the Longhorn variety of cattle for biodiverse pastures and conclude that biodiverse grasslands farming is good for the environment, the consumer and the producer. They call for more support from the policy makers and underlay the necessity to find ways to label and promote meat reared on biodiverse principals.

Authentication of organic milk

[1766]
Joachim Molketin 2009 developed a method for the authentication of German organic retail milk. It is based on the distribution of carbon delta 13 and the alfa-linolenic acid (C18:3omega3) in milk fat.

Maize accumulates more the heavier carbon 13 isotope than the normal carbon 12 isotope found in grass sillage and hay.

Increase of alfa-linoleic acid is a result from reduced maize sillage and high portion of roughage during the whole year, with fresh grass in the summer and grass/clover silage or hay in the winter.

According to Molketin, organic milk was always above a minimum C18:3omega3 content of 0.50% and below a maximum delta 13 carbon of -26.5 per mil. The author found that, contrary to the general opinion, organic milk did not generally contain more c9,t11-C18:2 (CLA) than conventional milk.

The authors writes that the method is valid for German milk. The proposed limit may vary in milk and their products with foreign origin.

German farmer defeated a marketing giant

[1767]
Georg Heitlinger, fought against a mighty lobby of the CMA, the Farmers's Association and the Government. The German Federal Constitutional Court decided the Marketing Fund Law from 1969 as unconstitutional. This law forced farmers to fund the Central Marketing. The verdict of the highest court is the end of Central Marketing Association of the German Farmers (CMA). [1768]

Heitlinger's farm produces eggs. He has to pay a fee for every egg his farm produces, following the Marketing Fund Law (Absatzfondsgesetz). This money goes to the CMA which is in charge advertise German agrarian products and protect them from cheap import products.

The Farmers pay hundreds and hundreds of million Euro each year to the CMA without any profit. Heitlinger saw at a Dutch packing station eggs for ALDI NORD stores being labelled with the CMA logo. Heitlinger's money was being used to pep up the products of his competitor from abroad.

On his long fight against the CMA and its logo, one lonely farmer, the German version of the French Bové, defeated the mighty organisation. Heitlinger says that farmer pay 30 Cents to the marketing fund for each 1000 eggs they produce. This is 0.6% of the price of the egg. In other products the fee amounts 0,4% of the price of the product. [1769]

The Marketing Fund Law (Absatzfondsgesetz)

[1770]
The German law says that every agrarian product has to pay a fee for a central association which is in charge of marketing activities to promote sales of German products and increase its strength toward import products.

The CMA

[1771]
The CMA has its seat in Bonn with up to 150 employees. The organisation will have to undergo stringent structural modifications and concentrate its marketing efforts to boost export rather than promote homeland based consume.

Critics on CMA

[1772]
The CMA in the name of German farmers published advertising who lack tight connections with agricultural products. The farmers do not feel any benefit from the activities of CMA. In his homepage Heitlinger presents the arguments of his fight against the lobby of marketing associations and its logos.

CMA accused of sexist slogans

[1773]
Heitlinger says that sexist advertising is felt as funny somewhere. Many German farmers, however, feel themselves not well represented with such a forced marketing image for which they have to pay heavily.

The sexist slogans are: I like beautiful legs. Milk turns me on. You never forget the first time. Guys with coal (bucks) turn me on. See the CMA advertising: http://www.absatzfonds-abschaffen.de/sexistisch.html

Parallels to French movements:

The unexpected victory of a small farmer against the system shows parallels to the the French environmentalist José Bové and rises hopes that a new reaction may reverse a negativ trend to monster marketing organisations and certification companies dominating the market. These logos and certification adverts are profitable primarily by multinational supermarket stores. One of these excess is the building of national and internartional logos for organic foodstuffs.

Lobbying of the food store chains were successful in establishing organic logos, certification companies and watered-down laws and directives. Small organic farm working under the original ideals of ecologic friendly farming could not compete with big monocultures of organic mass production for the big store chains. [1774] [1775]

All marketing associations, the certification companies working on a global platform, their logos, label mount tags, advertisings and other marketing promotions should be put under close scrutiny. The real message, their effectiveness and the organisation which is in charge should be analysed. The fight of Heitling should inspire all experts and all consumers alike, to look who is behingd food logos.

OurFood (c) 1998 - 2009 by Karl Heinz Wilm - Imprint (Impressum)