EU certification for organic produce

Indian exporters of organic farm produce are likely to get an exemption from certification by certifying agencies in Europe soon. The European Commission (EC) is presently working in this direction.

An EC team has completed the inspection of certification facilities in India. It found that the system and standards were "equal to theirs", according to Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) chairman K S Money.

Money said that India presently has 11 accredited certification agencies on organic farm produce. The "equivalence" status is expected to come within a month or two, he said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the India Organic 2005, a four-day organic trade fair here on Friday, he said: "Once the 'equal' status is conferred on Indian agencies this will help save anything between Euro 500 and Euro 1,000 for certifying produce of one hectare."

The European organic farm products' market is estimated at $12 billion and is growing 15-20 per cent annually, Money said.

Inaugurating the trade fair, Union minister of state for planning M V Rajashekharan on Friday said that the Centre was committed to promoting organic agriculture in the country in a big way and will encourage state governments to promote organic farming. He said that the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) will be continued during the 11th Five Year Plan with revisions.

Rajashekharan said: "There is growing awareness in the world about organic foods. Even in India, the potential is high. As per rough estimates there are about 200 million people who can afford to buy organic food. However, what is lacking is the up-to-date information on the available marketing opportunities on organic products and their trends."

He said though Green Revolution helped the country achieve self-sufficiency in foodgrain, it has brought with it various problems including soil degradation, environmental hazards and the loss of bio-diversity.

In this context organic farming has become imperative and has assumed special significance, he added. The fair is organised by the International Competence Centre for Organic Agriculture (ICCOA) in association with Karnataka government and APEDA.