After its three-day spring meeting, which was held via video conference, Naturland appeals to the Federal Government to get the planned Supply Chain Act off the ground before the end of this legislative period.

In order to reduce the nitrate content in groundwater, stricter regulations on fertilisation have been in force since 1 May. Parts of the regulation, such as the designation of “red areas” and stricter rules for these areas, do not have to be implemented until 1 January 2021. Organic farmers are struggling with the new regulation.

Food producers and retailers have a major impact on biodiversity. Yet, few industry standards and labels set criteria for species protection, according to an EU-wide study. This also applies to the organic sector. Some producers have become active themselves and are committed to biodiversity using their own strategies.

Organic farming is dependent on the use of externally produced pesticides. Often, copper-based pesticides are used here, while in the Mediterranean region they are also mineral oil-based. However, their use is controversial. The European research project RELACS is looking for alternatives.

What organic farming can do for the environment and society was the focus of a study by the Thünen Institute. The result is a predominantly positive picture of the potential of organic farming.

Prof. Dr. Otmar Seiber of the research group Agricultural and Regional Development Triesdorf GbR (ART) advocates the revaluation of regional products in order to stop the creeping loss of agricultural land.