Definitions, principles and basic concepts of organic agricultureby Sanobar Shaxobiddinova | 22-07-2021 17:42 |
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 Definitions, principles and basic concepts of organic agriculture Organic agriculture started as a movement in early 20th century mainly by practitioners to overcome problems arising from intensification. After 1980s, standards and nationally established systems were introduced in most of the developed countries. The main reason of setting standards was due to enlarging European especially German market and organic product flows from all over the world because of the strong demand. Standards aimed at ¡°facilitating trade¡± by providing a common language between the producer and the distant importer and at protecting consumers from misuse of the term ¡°organic¡±. As of 2017, there are about 88 countries having an official national standard,which regulate the production and the market (Willer and Lernoud, 2017). Among these 88 countries, there are relatively few reciprocal equivalencies between countries (especially regarding major markets as USA, EU, Canada, Japan, or South Korea) based upon bilateral agreements. In all other cases, products must be certified according to the rules of the importing country in order to have access to the international market. The leading international or national standards may define organic agriculture from different perspectives and may have minor differences, however in all cases they base on common principles. International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is the umbrella organization established in 1972 to unite the organic movement at world wide level. The first basic guidelines, which were later developed into basic standards was prepared by IFOAM. IFOAM¡¯s definition of organic agriculture embraces human and social aspects and quotes that ¡°organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation, science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved¡± In 1970s and 1980s, there were few national and state legislations as France and California and Oregon in the USA, however the major impact came with the European Union Commission regulation from the European Union, first for plant based products in 1991 (EEC 20 C 1235/2008 92/91) and then production methods of animal products was added in 1999. It had a multiplier effect on developing countries to develop their national organic systems since this regulation obliged countries exporting to the EU to prepare their own legislation, which was later postponed and finally removed. In due time, the scope of the regulation was widened. The latest major changes for the basis and implementing regulations occurred in EC 834/2007 (Basic requirements), EC 889/2008 (implementing regulation), E (import requirements to the EU) and then on the use of EU logo in 2010 |
