Methods and trends of organic farming in Europe
Recommendation 745
(1975)
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 22 January 1975 (17th Sitting) (see Doc. 3524, report of the Committee on Agriculture). Text adopted by the Assembly on 22 January 1975 (17th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Having taken note of the report of its Committee on Agriculture on organic farming in Europe (
Doc. 3524);
3. Considering that certain modern farming techniques may endanger the natural environment and the quality of agricultural produce through the repeated use, and sometimes abuse, of fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemical substances that are often toxic ;
4. Observing that these dangers can be avoided by employing production methods which do not entail the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides ;
5. Acknowledging, however, that organic farming has still to prove itself as regards both the quality and the quantity of its production, especially in view of the world food situation ;
6. Considering that present knowledge of ecology, biology and food science is still inadequate, especially as regards the long-term impact both on the natural environment and on the human organism of the harmful effects of chemical residues in foodstuffs ;
7. Considering that a bio-ecological approach to agriculture should be introduced into the struggle to improve the quality of life,
8. Recommends that the Committee of Ministers :
a invite the competent bodies of the Partial Agreement in the social and public health field to continue their efforts to harmonise the measures designed to ensure more effective regulations and control of the chemical residues in agricultural products intended for human consumption, taking into account the relevant work of the European Communities and competent intergovernmental organisations ;
b set up a committee of experts to establish criteria for assessing the biological qualities of both organic and modern farming products, so that these criteria can be used in laying down quality standards ;
c urge member governments to set up in typical European regions a number of pilot farms to carry out long-term experiments on the effectiveness of various farming techniques, including "organic" farming, and on the biological quality of the resulting products ;
d invite member governments to institute controls for the sale of organic farming products, and the use of the terms "organic" and "biological" ;
e invite member governments and also the competent international organisations to promote international co-operation between research workers in the main European agronomic research institutes and experts from "organic farmers'" associations.
