Published in Scientific Papers. Series A. Agronomy, Vol. LIX
Written by Paula Ionela NASTASE, Maria TOADER
In this paper, authors collective present statistical data provided by various organizations and institutions involved in organic agriculture movements in the world and in Romania, in order to characterize the particularities of organic farms and organic products certification. Organic agriculture is an integral part of sustainable development strategies and as a viable alternative to conventional agriculture. At the end of 2013, the total organic area in the world means 43.1 million ha and there are approximately two million organic farmers. The commerce of organic food sells 60 billion dollars every year. In Romania, it were recorded a surface of over 288 thou ha in 2014 nd around 15,000 operators. Each EU Member State accredits certification and inspection bodies for control of organic farms and products. In this context, the farm/unit also is inspected at least once a year to ensure that you meet the EU-wide organic standards. Only then can products legally be labelled and marketed as “organic”. The EU organic logo and labelling is a quick and simple way for consumers to recognise organic produce, and an important step in guaranteeing that organic produce is always of the same high standards. According to last research performer by EU, more than 70% of Europeans say they trust organic products. However, nearly 60% of them would favour an improvement of the control system. Consumer trust is about more than just quality. It's also about protecting the environment, providing good conditions for animals, and boosting rural development.
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