Danish Ministry of Agriculture, October 19, 2007

NO ROOM FOR BLACK SHEEP IN ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING

[Rachel's introduction: "As a new element, the organic farming principle of caution will be incorporated directly into the new Organic Farming Act [in Denmark]."]

Denmark's status as frontrunner in the field of organic food and farming must not be blemished. Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Eva Kjer Hansen has just presented a parliamentary bill for a new Organic Farming Act that will effectively keep rotten apples out of the organic farming business

The credibility and good reputation of organic food and farming among consumers is vital to the continued growth and development of this field. So, with the new Organic Farming Act, actions that can damage public confidence in organic production will be viewed upon with extra stern eyes.

Under this bill, farmers who have been convicted of for instance gross neglect and abuse of animals within the last five years will not be able to obtain a licence to engage in organic farming. The same applies to farmers with convictions for importing illegal medicines.

"Organic food and farming is totally dependent on consumer confidence. Therefore, it is important that individuals are prevented also in future from jeopardising the credibility of organic production", says Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Eva Kjer Hansen.

When a licence is revoked

The bill also tightens the restrictions on existing organic farmers. The Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries proposes that individuals who have had their organic farming licence revoked should not be allowed to continue to engage in organic farming activities in new company set-ups for a period of up to five years.

"If an organic farmer loses his licence one day for spraying his crops with for instance Round-up, the same farmer should not be allowed to continue organic farming activities the next day under the guise of a new company," says Eva Kjer Hansen.

Organic farmers that violate organic farming rules relating to the use of medicines, and for example administer medicines without veterinary assistance, will in the future have their licence immediately revoked for a period of up to five years."

As a new element, the organic farming principle of caution will be incorporated directly into the new Organic Farming Act.

The new Organic Farming bill has been drafted on the basis of a unanimous recommendation by the The Danish Organic Foods Council, a body in which farmers, industry, the retail trade and consumers are represented.

The new Organic Farming bill has been well received by all parties in the Danish Parliament, which is expected to pass the act within a few months.

(c) Policy Dialogue International 2005-07