Output und Public Expenditure Implications of the Development of Organic Farming in Europe

Organic Farming is becoming a key issue in the context of the present EU agro-environmental policy lines. However, its specific impact on agricultural output and on public expenditure is still scarcely investigated. In this book, Raffaele Zanoli and Danilo Gambelli provide a detailed analysis of the consequences that organic farming has produced insofar on these aspects for EU countries and three European non-EU countries - NO, CH, CZ - drawing on the latest studies in this field. The emphasis throughout is on factual information and empirical data provision, making this book a valueable resource to understand the success, challenges and prospects of the policy support to organic farming in Europe. This book is aimed at policy makers, the private sector, researchers and students in the field of economics and politics of organic farming

Organic Farming in Europe by 2010: Scenarios for the future

How will organic farming in Europe evolve by the year 2010? The answer provides a basis for the development of different policy options and for anticipating the future relative competitiveness of organic and conventional farming. The authors tackle the question using an innovative approach based on scenario analysis, offering the reader a range of scenarios that encompass the main possible evolutions of the organic farming sector. This book constitutes an innovative and reliable decision-supporting tool for policy makers, farmers and the private sector. Researchers and students operating in the field of agricultural economics will also benefit from the methodological approach adopted for the scenario analysis

Organic Farming: Policy and Prospects

Food retailers in Europe, including supermarkets, have responded to rapidly rising demand for organic produce. The organic sector has moved from a marginal production fad to a serious subject of policy concern for politicians and public servants involved in European agricultural policy. Drawing on a huge body of scientific research, this book - reviews the organic farming sector today and the policies developed towards it - assesses its contributions to the environment, food quality, farmers' incomes, and rural development - explains the key factors impinging on the organic farming sector in future - makes a detailed range of recommendations for future organic farming policy Contents 1 Organic farming: A grassroots movement taken over by policy? 2 Organic farming in Europe at the dawn of the new millennium 3 Organic farming's contribution to policy objectives 4 A Changing Policy Environment 5 Recommendations for future organic farming policy from: Dabbert, S. und Häring, A. M. und Zanoli, R. (2003): Organic Farming: Policy and Prospects. Zed Book

Stakeholder involvement in policy evaluation and development in 11 European countries: synthesis results

In an effort in bringing together stakeholders of the organic farming and general agricultural policy sector within the EU in April Mai 2004 a group of stakeholders met for a one day-workshop in 11 European countries (AT, GB, DE, DK, IT, CH, CZ, PL, SI, EE, HU) to formulate policy recommen¬dations for the development of organic farming sector. Close personal contact of participants in these workshops facilitated policy learning and innovation at the national level and provided a platform to form alliances to decide on further actions. This contribution presents the synthesised results from all national workshops highlighting the current situation of organic farming policy in Europe and providing recommendations for future policy instruments

Determining consumer expectations, attitudes and buying behaviour towards “low input” and organic foods

This paper reviews the first results and achievements of the QLIF SP1 “Determining consumer expectations and attitudes towards organic/low input food quality and safety”. The paper aims to illustrate the array of methodologies used and to discuss the ongoing research in light of the first results

Politik für den Öko-Landbau

Die europäische Politik zum ökologischen Landbau muss in einem europaweiten Aktionsplan besser aufeinander abgestimmt und weiter entwickelt werden. Zu diesem Schluss kommt eine soeben erschienene Studie von Wissenschaftlern der Universitäten Hohenheim und Ancona mit dem Titel „Politik für den Öko-Landbau“. Das Buch gibt in leicht verständlicher Form einen Überblick über den Status quo des Öko-Landbaus in Europa und diskutiert dessen wichtigste Aspekte im Verhältnis zur Agrarpolitik. Der Beitrag, den der Öko-Landbau zu Zielen der Politik leisten kann, wird ebenso diskutiert wie die Position des Öko-Landbaus im Spannungsfeld zwischen Agrarpolitik, WTO-Verhandlungen und Osterweiterung der EU. Mit Blick auf die Zukunft werden unterschiedliche Entwicklungsszenarien des Öko-Landbaus in Europa dargestellt. Abschließend werden Empfehlungen für eine sinnvolle Gestaltung der Politik für den Öko-Landbau ausgesprochen. In einem Geleitwort bescheinigt Frau Bundesministerin Renate Künast dem Buch eine „ausgewogene Dokumentation der Fakten und Meinungen“ und betont, dass insbesondere der europäische Blickwinkel des Buches interessante Ansätze für die Verbraucher und Agrarpolitik eröffnet. aus: Dabbert, S. und Häring, A.M. und Zanoli, R. (2002): Politik für den Öko-Landbau. Eugen Ulmer Verlag GmbH

Elements of a European Action Plan for Organic Farming

The paper gives a number of reasons why a European action plan for organic farming is needed. The elements of a European action plan are outlined. A first step of an action plan is to find as much as possible a coherent description and understanding of the situation of organic farming in Europe at the outset and the barriers to further expansion. Strategic decisions that have to be taken carefully are identified: What weight should be given to organic farming policy? Why does policy want to support organic farming? Is organic farming just a system for less favoured regions? How important are the protectionist elements in organic farming policy? The answers to these questions are important to choosing an effective policy mix. The paper argues that the following policies should be part of a European action plan: • Informing the consumer, especially developing a unified approach to a widely recognised common logo based on EU regulation 2092/91 and subsequent legislation. • Improving the functioning of the organic chain: Production, processing, distribution within the supply chain with major emphasis on improving information, education, technology development, research and extension for organic farming and its process chain. • Supporting organic farmers financially as remuneration for the production of public goods. • Reviewing related policies with direct influence on organic farming such as the general measures of the common agricultural policy or tax laws and others, in particular removing production constraints such as set-aside aimed originally at conventional producers. • Supporting creative conflict between conventional and organic farmers and building as much as possible a consensus on the long term objectives with respect to organic farming. A high priority should be given to measures dealing with improving the information on organic farming to consumers. It is recommended to closely monitor any realisation of an action plan and to adapt the plan accordingly. In order to turn already the development of the plan into a catalytic process for the organic sector it is important to involve the stakeholders in a systematic way

Actual and potential development of consumer demand on the organic food market in Europe

AbstractDevelopment of demand for organic foods on three European markets (Denmark, Italy and UK) was investigated by means of quantitative analysis of household panel data and qualitative analysis of consumer life stories and shopping patterns. Potential development was investigated by means of scenario analysis undertaken by experts. Considerable differences between households underlay patterns of increasing aggregate demand at national levels, and fluctuations over time were identified at the household level. Interest in purchasing organic products on a regular basis and actual changes in shopping practices did not proceed apace. Limited availability has constituted a major barrier to increasing demand among ‘regular’ users. Demand on the part of ‘occasional’ users reflected a wider range of barriers, including lack of interest in and knowledge about production and processing and lack of trust in stakeholders and certification procedures. A likely scenario for future demand is that of continued stable expansion, dependent upon whether increasing input costs will favour organic production, whether the relative gap between organic and conventional food prices becomes smaller, whether organic products will be distributed more widely on national markets, and whether support for research and conversion of organic production systems on the part of public authorities is enhanced

Analysis of non-compliances in the organic certification system in Turkey.

ABSTRACT: Organic farming in Turkey is experiencing a strong growth in recent years, with a particular attention to export towards Europe. International and domestic trade opportunities require an efficient control system for organic products. In this paper we analyse the data from inspections of two European control bodies in Turkish farms to analyse risk patterns of non-compliance with the organic regulation. A proportion test is performed to identify the types of crops that are more likely related to non-compliant operators