The development of organic farming: Farmers’ motivations, and formal regulations 

Lecture at NMBU September 8, 2014PJH300 - Sustainable Production Systems

Anne-Kristin LøesBioforsk Organic Food and FarmingTingvoll

FarmingFormingFuture

Bioforsk – Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research

Bodø

Tjøtta

Bioforsk Grassland and Landscape, Kvithamar

Bioforsk Arable Crops,Apelsvoll

Bioforsk Arctic Agriculture and Land Use, Holt, Tromsø

Svanhovd

Fureneset Løken

LandvikBioforsk Horticulture and Urban Greening, Særheim

Ullensvang

Bioforsk Organic Food and Farming,Tingvoll

Bioforsk Soil and EnvironmentBioforsk Plant Health and Plant ProtectionBioforsk Administration

Totally about 450 employees

• What is organic farming (OF)?• The early history of OF• IFOAM-global network• Definitions, principles and standards• Looking into IFOAM detailed standards (Excel file)• BREAK• Growth and development of OF, globally and in

Norway• Organic farmers’ motivations and visions• International and national regulations framing

OF• Outlook

The development of organic farming: Farmers’ motivations and formal regulations Contents:

The simple explanation:Organic agriculture = Refraining from mineral fertilizers and synthetic pesticides

What is organic farming?

A more conceptual one: •Thinking like industry (input makes output), maximizing profit, controlling nature

versus •Thinking like nature (cycles of energy, nutrients and organic matter), optimizing the system to create a surplus, cooperate with nature

Cycles versus linearity

A really conceptual one: Organic agriculture is a practice where all parts of the

production are unified as a whole, which is larger than the sum of the parts. It is environmentally friendly, fair, and

socially sustainable.

- A farm individuality?

Farm individuality, farm design

• Using the resources on the farm to fulfill highly different aims

• Study the farms history and biography, link with current resources and frame conditions to plan the future

Maximize output of food for humans

Use the farm as an arena for social work

Simplify farm management for a convenient life for a family

Cultivate and establish biodiversity habitats

Self-sufficiency in fodder and fertiliser, balanced system

Specialize in a production, posibly including processing and selling food

The farm as a living organism• Crop rotation• Balanced animal husbandry• Green manures, biological N fixation• Composting organic materials• Diverse productions supporting each other• Maximum of self-sufficiency, still producing a surplus for

sale• Protect and enrich the natural environment

= organs of the living organism

How did it become like this?

• 1885-86: Crucial soil biology discoveries; mycorrhiza, rhizobium bacteria, biological N-fixation. Agrological and soil microbiology developed as separate disciplines. Rhizosphere (1904), humus of large importance.

• 1842: Crucial chemistry discoveries; Liebig - plants nurture themselves from mineral nutrients, and ONLY from mineral(ised) nutrients. Liebig spoke negatively about soil organic material (humus).

• A continued conflict between soil biology and soil chemistry has formed the ground for the establishement of organic farming methods.

• Poison (organophosphates), constructed as warfare (1st WW 1914-1918) useful as insecticide; gunpowder (ammonium nitrate) useful as N fertiliser

• Technological innovations contributed to unemploydness• Low yield levels in Germany 1920-30 due to neglecting of soil humus?

Conflicting views• Natural agriculture as a reaction towards specialization and

mechanisation

Early history of organic agriculture

• About 1920-30: Organic pioneers were caring for the soil, troubled by soil erosion, decline of crop varieties, rural poverty, the introduction of mineral fertilisers and the increasing mechanization and specialization

• «The health of a nation built on agriculture is dependent on the long-term vitality of its soil»

• The farmer is nature’s partner• Agriculture is creative, rather than mechanistic• Howard: Law of return

Eve Balfour (1898-1990, founder of Soil Association(UK), book «The living soil» 1943, reprinted 9 times

Rudolf Steiner, German-speaking Europe (1861-1925), founder of anthroposophy, inspired biodynamic farming by «The agricultural course», 1924

Albert Howard, UK (1873-1947), agricultural advisor in India, inspired by recycling nutrients, «the father of modern composting», book «The waste products of agriculture», 1931

Bio, eco, biodynamic, organic…

• Organic agriculture developed, and develops differently in different countries and parts of the world

• Different associations and categories of organic merged into «organic» (in Norwegian: økologisk) during the late 70-ties

• The diversity of OF practices is still reflected in labels, certification bodies and associations

Organic = Certified- and much more

• Fulfilling conditions in EU regulations = minimum

• Several certification bodies have stricter regulations

• In several countries, producers «only» fulfilling EU regulations are seen as «second class» organic farmers

• Regulations grow very fast in volume! Simplify basic requirements, and earn «Michelin-stars» for special fields of interest?

Important and impressiveinternational network: IFOAMInternational Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements:•“It all started in 1972 when the President of the French farmers' organization, Nature et Progrès conceived of a worldwide appeal to come together to ensure a future for organic agriculture” •“By the 80s, IFOAM had leaders in the US, attracted involvement from African agents of organic agriculture, and launched a unique and fruitful relationship with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)”

•“..producing standards which provided a model for numerous major laws and voluntary standards, (Codex Alimentarius, EU, FAO)”

•By 2014: 732 affiliates (members, associates and supporters) in 114 countries.

•Source: www.ifoam.org

IFOAM’s definition of Organic Agriculture

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 and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved (ratified in 2008).

IFOAM’s four basic principles

Organic agriculture is based on:

•The principle of health: OA should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plant, animal, human and planet as one and indivisible

•The principle of ecology: OA should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them

•The principle of fairness: OA should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities

•The principle of care: OA should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment

“..one of IFOAM's founders, Eve Balfour, said that the characteristics of truly sustainable agriculture can be summed up with the word, "permanence“

Principle of health• 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 not simply the absence of illness, but the maintenance of physical, mental, social and ecological wellbeing.

• Immunity, resilience and regeneration are key characteristics of health.

• Organic agriculture is intended to produce high quality, nutritious food that contributes to preventive health care and wellbeing. 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

• The production is to be based on ecological processes, and recycling. Nourishment and wellbeing are achieved through the ecology of the specific production environment, e.g. for crops, the living soil; for animals, the farm ecosystem.

• 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.

• Organic agriculture should provide everyone involved with a good quality of life, and contribute to food sovereignty and reduction of poverty.

• Organic agriculture aims to produce a sufficient supply of good quality food and other products.

• Animals should be provided with the conditions and opportunities of life that accord with their physiology, natural behavior and wellbeing.

• Natural resources 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

• OA should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and wellbeing of current and future generations and the environment.

• Practitioners can enhance efficiency and increase productivity, but this should not be at the risk of jeopardizing health and wellbeing.

• New technologies need to be assessed and existing methods reviewed.

• Given the incomplete understanding of ecosystems and agriculture, care must be taken.

• Science is necessary to ensure that OA 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.

• OA should reject unpredictable technologies, such as genetic engineering.

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

Principles and practices

HEALTH FAIRNESS

ECOLOGY CARE

Animal welfare

Very few pesticides

Crop rotation

Hedges, ponds, flower strips.. For biodiversity

Composts and green manure

No GMOs

Participatory research

Optimize, not maximize

Food and fibre production

Environment and resource conservation

Very few food and feed additives

Less animal drugs

Available at:http://www.ifoam.org/sites/default/files/ifoam_norms_version_july_2014.pdf

Certification and standards

• IFOAM Family of standards for organic agriculture

• Includes the EU Organic Regulation, Krav Standards, Sweden and many more (> 50)

• Is a primary framework for guaranteeing that an organic standard adequately describes globally-recognized expectations for what organic producers should do, and what their products should represent

• The Best Practice Guidelines are not seen as the ultimate goal, but as a basis for further efforts towards sustainable practices

• Important legal framework: Common Objectives and Requirements of Organic Standards (COROS)

• Excel file of COROS to be shown here

Certification and standards

Time for a break!

The development of organic farming: Farmers’ motivations and formal regulations Contents:• What is organic farming (OF)?• The early history of OF• IFOAM-global network• Definitions, principles and standards• Looking into IFOAM detailed standards (Excel file)• BREAK• Growth and development of OF, globally and in

Norway• Organic farmers’ motivations and visions• International and national regulations framing

OF• Outlook

From niche to volume: 0 5 % of European farmland

• Since 1985, a rapid growth in organic production and consumption, linked to public support, research and increased acceptance in the scientific community

• Organic agriculture is still not fully accepted, and still actively counteracted and questioned especially for food security, soil fertility and partly for animal welfare

Source: http://orgprints.org/19310/1/world-of-organic-agriculture-2011.pdf

Development of organic food and farming

Pioneer practise

Political supportNGOs

R&D

Subsi-dies

Exten-sion

Edu-cation

Public goal (%)

Market develop-ment

Counter-acting

Mahatma Gandhi: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win

Counter-acting

Counter-acting

Time

What is organic farming, in Norway?

Originally inspired by biodynamic philosophy

Antall driftsenheter i norsk jordbruk > 5 daa (i 1000)

Number of farms < 50 000: 46 624 per January 2010 (SSB). Annual decrease 2-3000 farms

The general picture: Rapidly decreasing number of farms in Norway

«Modern» organic farming

• 7500 laying hens• 90 dairy cows

ØL 1-2007: Rune Sørli foran de to kraftfôrsiloene. Den ene er fylt med eget korn og den andre med økologiskkraftfôr. På vei inni hønsehuset blandes fôret fra begge siloene. Hønenes “vinterhage” med tak ogduk på langsiden er bygd i forlengelse av hønsehuset. FOTO: Hans Gaffke.

Moss Avis, July 2007: Per Boe Guren and Stig Gammelrød cheers by a glass of fresh organic milk by the opening of their new loose housing dairy cow building.

Nationen (daily newspaper) 11.07.2007:Storbøndene dominerer økolandbruket

Det er slutt på tida då økologiske bønder dreiv små gardsbruk. Nå har økobøndene fleire kyr og større mjølkekvote enn vanlege gardsbruk.

(Large farmers dominate organic agriculture. Organic farmers have now more dairy cows and lagrer milk quotas than ordinary farmers).

Photo by KSL Matmerk 2009

Photo by Kjell Kopperud, Leiekjøring AS

Development phases

• Pioneer phase: very few, very dedicated farmers, often aiming at «back to the land», self-sufficiency

• Spreading ideas to consumers, students• Establishing organisations• Conducting research, advisory service• Certification, political support, public goals• Growth, conventionalisation• Scepticism; ownership of the term «sustainability» • Further growth must come from the roots

(principles)

1924 The Agriculture Course in Koberwitz, Poland. Rudolf Steiner.1931 Bio-dynamic management established at N. Sletner, Østfold1950 Bio-dynamic Association established in Oslo , journal “Herba”1971 NGO established in Bergen: “Alternativ jordbruk” (Alternative? Agriculture!). “Jordsøkjarsambandet” 1977, Norsk økologisk landbrukslag (NØLL) 1984. Originally “Back to the earth”, gradually more and more the largest organic movement in Norway. Journal “Jordvett” 1982, later (since 2000?) “Ren mat”1977 Research initiated by UMB (NLH) students, MSc theses 1980 1st organic extension service, MFBJ established, in NW Norway. Approved by NLR (LFR) 1984. Journal “Hummelposten”, later “Økologisk landbruk”1981 RCN (Research Council of Norway) appointed a committee to describe status, research needs and future potential for OFF in Norway 1985 1st research project in OFF funded by RCN (animal manure management, Dr. Sissel Hansen) 1985 UMB started education in organic farming (OF) methods1985 More organic extension service: FABIO (Telemark, Buskerud, Vestfold) and FØKO (indre Østlandet – Hedmark++) established1986 Certification body, Debio established, Bjørkelangen1987 NORSØK (Norwegian Centre for Ecological Agriculture) established in Tingvoll1988 “30 farm project”, large project at NORSØK initiated by the Agricultural Agreement (AA) Research Fund; Whole farm case studies, 1988-19971988 Education in OF established at Sogn vocational school, Aurland1990 Economic support for conversion and organic production introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF)1990 Organic extension service available in the whole country, support by the AA1992 Specific OFF research programme launched by RCN 1994 Organic production officially approved as a part of the EEA-agreement (European Economic Area)1995 Certified organic milk for sale (Dalsgården), premium price introduced 0,60 kr/litre for milk sold as organic1997 NORSØK approved as public research institute and national centre of competence1998 Professorship in agro-ecology including OF established at UMB, organic education established at HIH (Blæstad)1999 Official goal of 10% organically managed farmland within 2010 declared by MAF2000 1st Action Plan for Organic Farming launched by Norwegian Agricultural Authority (SLF)2000 NØLL, the Norwegian herb grower association and the (organic) Producers’ union formed Oikos, “Organic Norway”2003 SLF action plan revised, more emphasis on market development2005 Red-green government declared the double 15% aim: 15% organic food production and consumption within 20152005 TINE put up a goal of 4% organic milk sales within 2010; current aim: 6% in 20152006 Bioforsk established2008 Ministry of local government and regional development + MAF launched the project “Økoløft”, 52 municipalities funding to be organic frontrunners2009 Date for double 15% goal extended to 2020 2009 Most recent OFF action plan released by MAF: https://www.slf.dep.no/no/miljo-og-okologisk/okologisk-landbruk/handlingsplaner/publikasjoner. 2010 Frontrunner counties appointed: Sogn & Fj.+ Hordaland (fruit), Akershus+Østfold (public procurement), N-S.Trøndelag (dairy), Buskerud (cereals), Vestfold (vegetables)2010 COOP challenges TINE by selling organic milk as a separate brand, “Änglagård”; Norwegian defence aims at 15% organic in 20122011 DIFI clarifies: Organic food = environmental consideration, public procurement should prefer organic food2012 Retailer KIWI launches large campaign to support organic purchase, cutting costs equal to the VAT (value added tax, 15 % in Norway on food)

Development of organic food and farming (OFF) in Norway 1932-2011, timeline

Organic production in Norway, 2000-2013

150-200 farmers deregister from certified organic production each year; 93 In and 231 Out in 2013

Organic production in Norway: Dairy cows and sheep

Organic consumption in Norway:Milk, eggs, imported vegetables and food with a long shelf-life (pasta etc.)

Decreased production diversity over time

Share of the organic farmland used for different crops, %

Crop 2003 2013 Daa, 2013

Grass, fodder crops

65 80 415.192

Cereals 19 15 8.934

Green manure

5 2 76.583

Potato 3 0.2 1.169

Vegetables 1 0.4 1.910

Fruit and berrries

1 0.5 2.471

Source: http://srv3.zetta.no/www-debio-no/_upl/statistikkhefte_2013.pdf

1-2% of Norwegian consumption is organic by 2014. Challenge: We import a lot of our organic consumption!

Organic farmers’ motivations and visions

• Vartdal, 1993: Growth of organic farming in Norway follows a classical pattern of innovation:

• Innovator, early adopter, early majority, late majority and late-comer, Rogers 1983)

• Local vs global orientation

• Globally oriented: Antroposopher (bio-dynamic) = innovators and Ecosopher («green 70-ies»)= early adopter

• Locally oriented: Reformist = early majority

Three categories of eco-farmers

Farmers’ motives for conversion: Changing with time

MotiveEarly conv.

1995 or before

Convert. 2000 to

2002

Sign.

Food quality 62.2 41.7 **

Soil fertility, less pollution problems 51.1 27.1 **

Ideology, philosophy 40.0 25.0

Professional challenges 33.3 45.8

Health risks (pesticides etc.) 24.4 33.3

Animal welfare 22.2 33.3

Profitability 11.1 37.5 ***

Natural conditions (soil, climate, etc.) 8.9 10.4

Organic farming payments 6.7 35.4 ***

Income stability 2.2 2.1  

Percentage of farmers ranking the motive as one of the three most important motives

Source: Flaten et al., «Risk and risk management in organic farming”, project 2002-05, NILF-Bioforsk. http://orgprints.org/6124/

Farmers’ reasons for opting out

• Certification and control is too bureaucratic (and expensive)• Organic standards: Complicated, irrational, change frequently• Organic standards become stricter with time• Animal welfare is cost-demanding• Agricultural policy is risky (not predictable)• Organic financial support is too low• Plant production has problems with weeds and nutrient supply• Difficulties to obtain 100% organic feed• Hard to sell and achieve premium price for vegetables• High employment and salaries increase off-farm employment

Source: Løes et al., «Reasons for opting out of certified organic production in Norway”, project 2007-08, NILF-Bioforsk. http://orgprints.org/10629/

Organic agriculture… holistic, and realistic

Increasing attention

Demand for control and certification

Debate about sustainability

Speculation, utilising support outside of intentions, even fraud

Food prices dumpedWages increasedTechnology driven

EFFEKTIVISERINGSTRUKTUR-RASJONALISERING

More stakeholders involved

Public support

How international and national regulations try to frame (certified) organic agriculture

• EU regulations: 2092/91, 834/2007, 889/2008• Norway defined organic agriculture by law as a part of the

European Economic Area (EØS-avtalen, EEA) in 1994• Since 1994, EU regulations for organic agriculture have been

mandatory in Norway, with some national adaptations• The responsible authority for organic production in Norway is

the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA; Mattilsynet)• The private certification body, Debio (Demeter-Biologisk

merkeforvaltning) certifies organic production, processing and trade on behalf of NFSA

• EU label mandatory from July 2010 (889/08), still not implemented in Norway!

The EU organic logo and those of EU Member States are used to supplement the labelling and increase the visibility of organic food and drink for consumers.

The logo ensures that:95% of the product's ingredients of agricultural origin have been organically produced; the product complies with the rules of the official inspection scheme; the product has come directly from the producer or preparer in a sealed package; the product bears the name of the producer, the preparer or vendor and the name or code of the inspection body.

The placement of the EU logo is mandatory from 1 July 2010 for pre-packaged food. It remains voluntary for imported products after this date. From 1 July 2010, an indication of the place where the agricultural raw materials were farmed should accompany the logo as follows: 'EU Agriculture', 'non-EU Agriculture' or 'EU/non-EU Agriculture'. If all raw materials have been farmed in only one country, the name of this specific country, in or outside the EU, can be indicated instead.

If operators wish to sell their products in another EU Member State than their own, they may place an additional national or private logo that will be recognised by the consumers of this particular country. However, the EU organic logo should in time be recognised by all European consumers.

More about labels/logos:

• 2011:• Current regulations state that >50 % of the feed for

ruminants shall be produced on the farm. No similar regulation is found for monogastric animals.

• The commission has launched a proposal to increase the demand for self-sufficiency to 70-80 % for ruminants, and 40-50 % for pigs and poultry.

• 2012 (hearing in Norway before implementation):• Demand for feed self-sufficiency increased from 60

to 70 % for ruminants• Demand for feed self-sufficiency increased from 0 to

20 % for pigs and poultry• Feed should come from own farm, or be produced by

cooperating farmers in the same region• Demand for organic livestock of chicken postponed

from 2012 to 2015 due to lack of detailed regulations• Due to lack of organic protein feed, up to 5 %

conventional protein feed may be used for pigs and poultry until 2015

Developing organic regulations – the EU commission «goes organic»

Revision of CAP Greening of CAP (2014-2020) • Concensus about making CAP greener and

more sustainable

• In general terms the revision is between pillar I (direct aids to farmers and market measures) and pillar II (rural development measures), and between interests of old and new member states

• The organic specter intends to include High Nature Value Farming

Trends to consider for organic farming in 2014• Organic market increases - But the proportion of Norwegian products is decreasing!- Still lot of scepticism among many large food actors - Increasing imports of organic food that could have been produced in Norway threatens

Norwegian agriculture in general

• Local products highly popular- Local sells much better than organic.. Why bother about certification?

• A significant amount of farmers conduct «close to», but not certified organic

-When farming is a part-time business, the farmers has no energy to comply 100% with complicated regulations

• Most farmers wanting to stay in business specialize and increase the volume of production

– Diverse organic production has a hard time

• Rapid decline in milk production in general-(When) Will organic farmers establish their own dairy company?- Can organic milk be an instrument to maintain Norwegian agriculture?

- When will TINE accept more organic producers of dairy cow milk, and pay premium price for organic goat milk?

What is required to achieve the double15 % goal?• Organic needs to be recognised as a part of the solution to

important challenges (climate change, feeding the world, biodiversity, soil and water conservation, rural development….)

• Consumers should accept that buying organic is a measure to support sustainable development

• More information about negative effects of pesticides and other conventional inputs may be required

• People involved in food processsing and distribution should realise the importance of selling organic

• Politicians should clarify WHY they established the double 15 % goal. More focus on environmental benefits, positive health effects and animal welfare

• Farmers should acknowledge the value of the Ø label, well known and trusted by Norwegian consumers. Use it actively!

Basically, it is all a question about values

• There is a fight about the term sustainability• Sustainability is something everyone wants• Sustainability is a normative word: Related to values,

attitudes• We have to reflect about our values and attitudes, and

be open and honest about our goals and visions• There is no such thing as an «objective» researcher• Research has to be reliable; which is not the same as

«objective»• Working to promote organic food and farming does not

mean that your research is not as reliable as research made by people claiming a «neutral» position

Open archive for organic research: www.orgprints.org

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