Agricoltura biologica e relativa normativa

The progress in farming since the beginning of civilization has brought to the present conventional agriculture, intensive and often efficient in the use of producing factors, not always sustainable in the long term. The increasing pollution associated with conventional farming and the consumers’ desire for tastier, fresher, safer foods have prompted a process of “getting back to nature” along the route of agricultural progress. Under the pressure of this movement, the European Council ruled the sector of organic farming and organically-produced foods under Regulation 91/2092/EEC, the first and foremost piece of legislation, which was subsequently modified and integrated by additional norms, such as Regulation 99/1804/EC for animal productions. A discussion of Reg. 91/2092/EEC is presented, focusing on the relevant parts at the farm level, such as Annex I, norms for crop productions, and Annex II, the products that may be employed as fertilizers and pesticides. A comparison with conventional and integrated cropping highlights the progress that is still possible, in view of a better qualification of organic vegetable products. The main rules for organic farming of bovines, equines, swine, goats, sheep and poultry are also described and some aspects of particular interest such as problems arising from non-ruminants nutrition and GMO residues in feedstuffs are briefly discussed.