Description of the EU Regulation requirements and main differences a) Greenhouse production
The Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 does not specify any rules for organic greenhouse production. Greenhouse production is only regulated in a few private standards: five standards in German speaking countries (AT, CH, DE) and in Norway (NO Governmental rules and Debio standards). These standards regulate this area with the aim of limiting the use of energy for heating and artificial light in the cold period of the year for ecological reasons. The justification for the rules mentioned by the standards experts is the same: reduction of the use of non-renewable resources is an important measure for the sustainability of organic agriculture.
Some private standards restrict the use of steam sterilisation in greenhouses (see Chapter 5.4.3. on fertiliser use).
Other important areas for greenhouse production would be to consider whether fertiliser use should be regulated differently then in the main regulation.
b) Perennial crops
The Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 does not include specific regulation on perennial crops and ornamental crops.
Several private standards include requirements for growing of perennial crops with the purpose to ensure improved sustainability (Demeter International, AT Bio Austria, CH Bio Suisse and Demeter, DE Bioland, DE Naturland), in particular as concerns soil management (soil coverage with green plants) and requirements concerning the material used for support stakes.
DIFFERENCES No. of diff.
Description of main differences Main differences on which level:
Justification MAIN AREAS Details: Int. Nat.gov. Nat. priv.
Greenhouse and perennials
54 - use of energy in greenhouses - Soil coverage, origin of stakes,
= = = = + ++ Ecology Principle
Discussion of potential impact and conflict areas
Consumers/public perception:
a) Greenhouse production: Committed consumers regularly buying organic products have a higher preference of seasonal fresh products (outdoor and indoor) from the country (or at least the EU), compared to non-regular buyers of organic food (Zanoli et al. 2004, in particular in CH and DE). However, there are few indications in consumer studies on concerns regarding greenhouse production itself and greenhouse products. Some standards experts in the Northern and Central European countries mention concerns from environmental organisations regarding the relatively high energy use in greenhouses.
b) Perennial crops: no public concerns have been indicated by the standards experts and in consumer surveys.
Trade implications:
a) Greenhouse production: Limiting the possibility for use of heating or artificial light in greenhouses by organic standards setting will create uneven competition possibilities between the northern cold regions with short winter days and the central and southern part of Europe with warmer climate and more even day length all year round. The consumers want fresh organic vegetables of all kinds all year round, so stricter regulation on energy consumption in green house production may make it impossible to grow green house cultures part of the year in the northern regions of the EU. However, the high energy costs already limits excessive use of non-renewable energy sources for green house production in these regions.
b) Perennial crops: Additional restrictions on the production of perennials, e.g. to introduce green manure in the rows for soil coverage in vineyards, may lead to higher costs and sometimes also lower yields, but are difficult to estimate in a more long-term perspective.
Organic Principles:
a) Greenhouse production: To reduce the use of fossil energy, which is a non-renewable resource, is a basic principle of organic agriculture (principle of ecology). Therefore some standards set restrictions regarding heating regimes and the use of artificial light in greenhouses. Out of soil production, e.g. the production of herbs or tomatoes in pots in greenhouses was indicated as a major discussion point in the UK.
b) Perennial crops: The requirement of more sustainable soil management practices in the production of perennials has been related by some standards experts to the principle of ecology (reduction of erosion, etc.).
Discussion of harmonisation, simplification and regionalisation potential
DIFFERENCES No. of diff.
Impact on Potentials for
IN MAIN AREAS Cons Trade Org P Harm Simp Reg
Greenhouse and perennials 54 - ++ + yes no yes
Harmonisation:
a) Greenhouse production: It is recommended to introduce some basic rules at the EU level for greenhouse production regarding consumption of fossil energy. Production of greenhouse gasses and global warming is a very crucial issue, so organic production should as an environmentally have some rules on the consumption of fossil fuels, and green house production in the winter season is a very energy requiring production, especially in the northern part of the EU. Harmonisation is possible by introducing some requirements for the heating and energy supply of greenhouses during cold periods. However to set limits needs more investigations and research.
b) Perennial crops: On an EU level it is recommended to set some specific criteria regarding the coverage of the soil in perennial crops.
Simplification:
The Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 does not have rules for greenhouse production perennial crops or ornamentals, so recommendations on simplification of the rules are not an issue.
Regionalisation:
a) Greenhouse production: There are great climatic differences between the northern, central and southern part of the EU which should be taken into account when setting standards on the EU level. Therefore, regionally adapted solutions should be possible both for greenhouse production and for perennial crops and production of ornamentals.
b) Perennial crops: The implementation of specific rules for soil coverage in perennials crops is an issue on national/regional level.
Main conclusion for revision process of Regulation (EEC) 2092/91:
It would be desirable to introduce some basic common basic rules at the EU level concerning consumption of fossil energy for green house production and other energy intensive productions is strongly recommended for the sake of saving limited resources and reducing emission of the green house gas, carbon-dioxide. However this is an issue, which is not under the jurisdiction of DG Agri; it has also to be dealt trough other EU legislation.
It is further recommended to introduce some basic requirements on the conversion of greenhouses, fertilisation of green house cultures and growing media for greenhouse cultures including ornamentals. These provisions should be the basis for more detailed regulation at the regional level where appropriate.
Basic common rules for growth of perennials as concerns requirements on plant cover in relation to reducing the risk of soil erosion and increasing the biodiversity in perennial crops should also are part of the new Council Regulation EC/834/2007 on organic production.