Technical data that can help

Technical data that can help for different decisions.
Very important conclusions of the organization groups:

Long-term soil fertility

IFOAM reiterated that, in organic agriculture, the organisational principles of “feeding” the soil were far
more important than the use of inputs per se (external/internal, natural/synthetic). Examples of
organisational systems include avoiding excess and mining of nutrients, unlocking nutrients from lower
levels of the soil and different rooting systems. As such, organic agriculture is more concerned with
processes than individual elements.

The group recognised that a strictly closed nutrient and energy system was not possible. Organic
agriculture aims at optimising flows in “nearly” closed-systems.

The group acknowledged that the starting point for soil fertility management should remain flexible. In
poor and depleted soils, there will be need to amend the soil above minimum levels of NPK and micro-
elements, and eventually to balance pH. In tropical conditions, nutrient management involves
enhancing processes that mobilise available nutrients and induce slow mineralization.

IFOAM recognised that there are less problems in sourcing nitrogen and potassium than sourcing
phosphate and micro-nutrients. Where losses existed via exports from the farming system, phosphate
and potassium will need to be supplemented (e.g. bone meal). Under special site conditions, synthetic
phosphate can be used while remaining under the organic agriculture banner.
The group recognised that while organic matter could be easily maintained in temperate regions, it
was rapidly depleted in tropical soils. Tropical soils, however, can be managed in a way that enhances
and maintains their organic content by: amending soil with organic matter, creating sufficient shade, or
low tillage. For this end, burning organic matter should be avoided.

It was, however, noted that limited needs for external inputs in organic
agriculture were favourable for food security because they reduce
dependency on external inputs and factors. The difficulty of access to
synthetic agricultural inputs in many places is the main trigger to
conversion to organic systems. It was recognized that many traditional
farms fulfil organic agriculture standards by “default” because they do
not have access to synthetic inputs. Even in these cases, they are
considered as organic.

Research

The group identified the following research gaps as critical for the advancement of organic
agriculture: improved local crop varieties; evaluation of organic agriculture performance in
extreme situations; identification of the factors (e.g. subsidies and tariff, non-tariff and other
barriers) that keep organic pest management and integrated pest management
non-feasible in developed countries; selection and elaboration of best management
systems which are acceptable in developing countries; and fertiliser quality control,
including those allowed in organic agriculture.

A general evaluation of the potential of organic agriculture for responding to world food
needs is important to make estimates on the return of investment in related research and
development. This information is not only useful to policy decisions but to all players
involved.

It was agreed that a handbook on the specific approach and methods for organic
agriculture research would be useful. Such a handbook should cover items such as
methods and training for on-farm research and comparable methodologies

The group acknowledged that the starting point for soil
fertility management should remain flexible. In poor
and depleted soils, there will be need to amend the
soil above minimum levels of NPK and
micro-elements, and eventually to balance pH. In
tropical conditions, nutrient management involves
enhancing processes that mobilise available nutrients
and induce slow mineralization.

Organic agriculture is an increasingly important part of the agriculture sector. Its environmental and
economic benefits have captured the attention of many countries. Consumer demand for organically
produced food and fibres products - and society's demand for more sustainable development -
provide new opportunities for farmers and businesses around the world.
It also presents new challenges for FAO. In particular, member countries need advice and information
on the potential of organic agriculture to contribute to sustainability in order to direct research,
extension efforts, and tap national and international market opportunities.
Organic agriculture:
•        offers the opportunity to discover, through traditional knowledge and modern science blending,
new and innovative production technologies;
•        provides market opportunities;
•        promotes the national and international public debate on sustainability by creating awareness of
environmental and social concerns that merit attention.
FAO has the responsibility to give organic agriculture a legitimate place within sustainable agriculture
programmes and to assist member countries in their efforts to respond to farmer and consumer
demand in this sector.

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German Agriculture Goes Green
CBC Newsworld Newscast, 11 January 2001
German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder says it’s time for Europe to turn away from factory farms, and get
back to nature. In a response to the country’s BSE crisis, Schröder said Wednesday, ‘We have to
produce what is healthy, not just what can be sold.’
He backed up his words with action, choosing a member of the Green Party (Renate Kuenast) as his
new Agriculture Minister, giving her sweeping new powers: the responsibility for farming policies as well
as for consumer protection and safety.
Germany’s Agriculture and Health Ministers resigned (two days prior to this announcement) over
accusations that they mishandled the BSE crisis. The Ministers admitted being complacent about the
dangers of the disease.

A As part of a major project for its fiftieth anniversary year the Soil Association is coordinating a
comprehensive research programme into the costs of modern food production systems in the UK. This
will:
1. Undertake a review of the external costs of agriculture in the key areas of: Health, Environment,
Social (including employment), Animal Welfare, and Developing Countries;
2. Apply appropriate mechanisms that will allow these external costs to be reflected in economic terms;
3. Propose a policy framework for agriculture that will ensure that both the real costs associated with
food production are reflected in the price of food, and that public expenditure is effectively directed
towards the encouragement of more benign forms of agriculture.
Keep Chemicals Off Your Plate
Many pesticides approved for use by the EPA were registered long before extensive research linking
these chemicals to cancer and other diseases had been established. Now the EPA considers 60
percent of all herbicides, 90 percent of all fungicides, and 30 percent of all insecticides carcinogenic. A
1987 National Academy of Sciences report estimated that pesticides might cause an extra 4 million
cancer cases among Americans, The bottom line is that pesticides are poisons designed to kill living
organisms and can also harm humans. In addition to cancer, pesticides are implicated in birth defects,
nerve damage and genetic mutations. Acres, Evaluation the Pitfalls of Chemical Fertilizers-Synthetics in
Agriculture.
Protect Farm Workers
A National Cancer Institute study found that farmers exposed to herbicides had six times more risk than
non-farmers of contracting cancer. In California, reported pesticide poisonings indicate farm workers
suffer the highest rates of occupational illness in the state. Farm worker health is also a serious problem
in developing nations, where pesticides use may be poorly regulated. Acres, Evaluating the Pitfalls of
Chemical Fertilizers.