Speiser Introduction

Why change the existing input evaluation system, and how?Introduction: 

Why change the existing input evaluation system, and how? Introduction 13 October 2005 Bernhard Speiser

ORGANIC INPUTS EVALUATION project: 

ORGANIC INPUTS EVALUATION project Concerted Action Duration: January 2003 – December 2005 12 partners and many external experts Objectives «Policy support» for improvement of organic farming legislation. To develop harmonized and standardised procedures for evaluation of plant protection products, fertilizers and soil conditioners for use in organic agriculture.

A few terms explained …: 

A few terms explained … PPP F&SC inputs OF product Plant protection product(s) Fertilizer(s) and soil conditioner(s) * * also called «soil improvers» = PPP + F&SC Organic farming «item» listed on Annex II of Reg. 2092/91; do not confound with «commercial product»

Relevant aspects of Regulation 2092/91: 

Annex II F «Other products» (empty) Relevant aspects of Regulation 2092/91 Article 1-16 Annex I-VIII Art. 7 Rules for changing Annex II Art. 6 only products from Annex II may be used Annex II B Allowed plant protection products Annex II A Allowed fertilizers and soil conditioners

Overlap with other legislation: 

Overlap with other legislation Organic farming Reg. 2092/91 Conven-tional farming What can be used

Inventory of the existing system: 

Inventory of the existing system «Current Evaluation Procedures for Plant Protection Products Used in Organic Agriculture» «Current Evaluation Procedures for Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners Used in Organic Agriculture» Download: www.organicinputs.org

Main findings of inventory: 

Main findings of inventory Large variability between EU Member States concerning what is allowed and what is not allowed for use. Main reasons for this are found in the general legislation (outside organic agriculture), e.g. pesticide registration, fertilizer admission, rules for input traders. Simplified registration procedures may help to overcome problems with registration at national level, but are themselves highly variable. Inclusion of new products is very slow, or in most cases impossible.

Example of variability: copper fungicides: 

Example of variability: copper fungicides

Examples of simplified procedures: 

Examples of simplified procedures Most countries have no simplified procedures. NL: «RUB» IT: Presidential Decree 290* PT: Decree no 1232/2001* DE: «plant strengtheners» DE: «farm-made products» CH: partial efficacy *aimed at organic farming low-risk traditional OF products only for OF; no fees traditional products efficacy requirements mode of action

Main needs for improvement (1): 

Main needs for improvement (1) More comprehensive evaluation criteria. Harmonization with Codex Alimentarius and other standards. Criteria Non-contact (for PPP) Traditional use Necessity Environment Origin Manufacture Human health Socio-economic impact Organic farming principles Present Art. 7 yes yes yes yes no no no no no proposed no no yes yes yes yes yes yes yes

Main needs for improvement (2): 

Main needs for improvement (2) Procedures which allow efficient and transparent handling of requests.

Main needs for improvement (3): 

Main needs for improvement (3) A criteria matrix for technical support (puts the criteria into practice). Article 7 Applicant: How to prepare a request ? Evaluator: How to evaluate a request ?

Role of the criteria matrix: 

Role of the criteria matrix The criteria matrix provides support for those who evaluate inputs, but the matrix does not decide itself whether an input is allowed or not. LD50 * E = mc2 Bad example:

Use of the criteria matrix: 

Use of the criteria matrix To illustrate the use of the matrix, two case studies were carried out: Hydrolyzed animal proteins (N fertilizer) Spinosad (insecticide)

Summary of our proposal: 

Summary of our proposal Better evaluation criteria Better procedures, advice by expert panel Criteria matrix for technical support during revision of Reg. 2092/91 during revision of Reg. 2092/91, as per Organic Action Plan, Action 11* as a guidance document Possible implementation * «Establishing an independent expert panel for technical advice.»

Acknowledgements: 

Acknowledgements Scientific input from Project partners and external experts Funding from Commission of the European Communities, 5th Framework Programme of RTD, contract QLK5-CT-2002-02565 Swiss Federal Office for Education and Science (BBW)