Control and certification of organic agricultural production

Abstract

Given that organic agriculture is sustainable and that it contributes to environmental protection and public health, it is subject to different methods that reflect the basic features of organic agricultural production, such as agricultural measures that protect soil fertility, specific plant protection products, fertilizers that do not impact soil properties in a negative way, nor leave residues in edible parts of plants, and other measures. Organic production is subject to legal regulations, which define the permitted organic production methods, methods of storage and transportation, as well as the process of certification. Certification of organic products is important for several reasons: first, the certificate guarantees a safe product manufactured in accordance with the principles of organic production, but also ensures competitiveness in the market for organic farmers. This paper presents the main certification procedures and requirements which have to be met in the process of certification in organic crop production.

Keywords

• organic farming
• certification
• conversion period