The national certification of organic products: where is it heading?

摘要

In the European Union and the United States, the labelling of organic agricultural products is regulated by legislation. Inspection and certification procedures are mandatory for the use of the "certified organic" label on agricultural products. In developing countries too, organic farming is gaining in importance. Inspection and certification can be carried out on the spot by qualified local private inspection bodies. The establishment of such organizations must be encouraged to safeguard the independent and sustainable development of organic farming in developing countries. Increasingly, development cooperation projects are encouraging the use of organic methods in agriculture. The focus is on catering for the local market, but the production of agricultural exports also plays an important role. Meanwhile many agricultural imports of "certified organic" quality from developing countries are available on the European and North American markets.