Trade for Development Centre is a programme of Enabel, the Belgian development agency.
Defined as "a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people", organic agriculture "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 benefiting the environment while promoting fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved"*.
To be labelled organic, a product has to respect precise specifications and is subjected to strict controls. No synthetic chemicals are tolerated; livestock feeds are free of antibiotics and GMOs are excluded from the chain.
Special attention is paid to the well-being of animals and additives are limited in product processing. Instead of mineral fertilisers and pesticides, organic agriculture relies on organic fertilisers and on organic methods of pest control.
Usually the recognition of an organic product is achieved through labelling on the package. In Belgium, the Biogarantie ® label means that a product comes from organic agriculture and respects the specifications set by Bioforum, the platform of organic professionals and consumers.
The Ecogarantie® label is used for non-food products (housekeeping products etc.).
Specifications for organic agriculture have in general been drawn up by both national and international civil society organisations. The European Commission has adopted an official version of these: This is the (CE) n°834/2007 regulation, which is applicable as of 1 January 2009. However, it does not yet cover certain fields for which, in Belgium, the Biogarantie label is a forerunner, such as animal feeds, fibre or collective catering.
Nearby! BioForum is the supporting structure of the organic sector in Belgium. The organisation’s mission is to support producers of organic produce, to encourage the increase of sales of organic food and to promote organic production with farmers and processors. Click here to find out where you can find organic products in Belgium.
