The transition of agricultural models :  The importance of organic agriculture

In the face of continued population growth, the agricultural sector has an important role to play: Produce food resources to feed an entire population in a healthy way, while preserving the environment and the surrounding biodiversity.

Intensive agriculture, which appeared between the middle and end of the last century, seemed to be a way to meet the food needs of the planet. Characterized by an increase in productivity thanks to the use of chemical inputs and mechanization of tools, the impact of this mode of production is however negative on many levels: soil pollution, water depletion, threat to the environment and biodiversity…

Respect for the land and the living world has led many farmers to turn to organic farming.

“Organic farming takes a balanced and holistic approach to sustainability.”

The benefits of organic farming are numerous:

• Reduction of pollutant discharges and greenhouse gases, protection of water quality, in particular through the non-use of synthetic products, the establishment of hedges, meadows and long crop rotations with vegetables…
• Action in favour of biodiversity by restoring healthy ecosystems, with more natural productions,
• Defense of animal welfare, taking into account the favorable provisions put in place in their habitat or breeding, access to the outside, their development in a natural place,
• Respect for the health of consumers through a healthier production method and the provision of quality food
• Dynamism of the territories by supporting the local economic and social life and the creation of jobs.

Today, the food transition (1) is crucial in order to restore a balance between what is produced and consumed. We are convinced that Organic Agriculure is one of the essential levers for this transition. A healthier production method that respects the environment and society and a rethinking of consumption will be beneficial for both man and the planet. The Apaq-W and Listen barometer of organic product consumption points in this direction: 61% of those questioned believe that organic farming can be a response to the environmental and consumer society issues.

On the consumer side, how to make a conscious choice?

Today, in Europe, the food offer is very varied. How can we help consumers to choose the products that are most respectful of their health and the environment? Environmental labels can help consumers to make an informed choice, but it is still necessary to find !

• Trust the official European organic label

Faced with the multiplication of labels with varied criteria, it is not always easy to decipher the information provided. Beyond the virtuous agricultural practices implemented upstream, the actors involved in organic farming must also provide consumers with the best possible information on their products: origin, food quality, production context, treatment of animals, etc. Organic farming certification with the Organi Agriculture label allows all these guarantees to be valued. The Food products labeled Organic Farming label respect strict specifications: the European organic farming regulations, where the conformity of production practices has been verified by a certification body, such as Certisys.

• Trust in positive impact labels

The demanding and strict practices of organic farming are now defined in the European regulation dedicated to it. Additional criteria are social and environmental pillars are linked to what called Organic+ (better remuneration for farmers, social equity, advanced protection of biodiversity and soil, etc.). In order to go even further in the transition, some producers choose to implement other virtuous agricultural practices, with a more holistic approach to agriculture; complementary to organic farming.

In the food industry, Certisys only chooses strict standards with a positive impact, in order to be able to certify producers and processors in organic + concept:

Labels for biodynamic agriculture

Here are some labels:

Demeter: Demeter is a biodynamic certification for agricultural products. It is considered one of the most rigorous certifications on the market. To obtain a Demeter certification it is important to respect the defined specifications of which here are some  of the criteria: respect of crop rotation, preservation of biodiversity and use of cultivation methods that encourage the preservation of the soil.

Biodyvin: Biodyvin certification is a certification for wine produced according to biodynamic principles. It requires organic and specific biodynamic wine production in accordance with specific production, vinification and conservation standards.

Organic labels for import-export

To enable you to export your organic products. Certisys offers several labels depending on the destination chosen:

Official international organuc labels

USDA Organic: allows the marketing of organic products in the USA.

JAS: allows the marketing of organic products in Japan.

To find out about other official international labels, click here

Private labels:

Biogarantie: a Belgian label that allows you to promote your organic approach in terms of sustainability, whether ecological, social or economic.

Naturland: a private German label that takes into account areas not covered by the European Regulation such as social issues. Which can be displayed on any certified organic product.

BioSuisse: The label allows the marketing of organic products in Switzerland using the ‘Bourgeon’.

Find all our certifications in organic agriculture

Changing agricultural and agri-food models requires the mobilization of all actors in the sector. Producing organically means meeting the basic needs of the population in an innovative and modern way by reconciling Man and Nature. Certisys is at the heart of the issues at stake and we are convinced that organic and sustainable agriculture is the answer to the economic, ecological and social challenges of world agriculture. This is why we have been working for over 30 years to expand it.

(1) Food transition is the process by which a society changes the way it produces and consumes food in order to meet environmental, nutritional, ethical and social challenges.