It is a farming method regulated and controlled by the EU (834/2007) whereby both chemicals (fertilizers, weed-killers, repellents and insecticides) and organically modified crops (OGM) are banned.
The first step to organic farming is selecting strong parasite-resistant crops. Other farming practices include:
• field rotation, crops are rotated before parasites can strengthen their hold on the area and the soil is not stripped of its nutrients by intensive, single-crop farming.
• Planting hedgerows and trees, to act as natural barriers to parasites and external pollution as well providing a habitat for wildlife.
• Combination, farming means varying plants within an area to contain parasites and impede breeding.

Manure, organic waste and grass-cuttings are natural fertilizers and important minerals come from clover and mustard seeds. When necessary, natural substances derived from organic matter can be applied, for example plant extracts, selected insects to feed off parasites, rock dust or minerals to correct the structure and chemical components in the soil and to defend the crops from cryptogamic growth, such as moss, fungi and ferns.
However, should intervention be required to eliminate damaging parasites or the like, the organic farmer has to refer to the “positive list” of substances approved by the EU.

Regulation Cee 1924/2006

Regulation Cee 967/2008

Regulation Cee 889/2008

An organic product must be entirely produced from organically farmed
ingredients. The label will indicate the following information as part of EU regulations:
• Organic Farming,
• name of the certification authority and government licence;
• reference number and bar code indicating the country and company
of origin.

Honey bearing the organic label has been produced according to specific
practices in beekeeping methods within an approved, unpolluted environment.
The European breed, apis mellifera and its local varieties are preferred whilst the use of honeycombs to enhance extraction are banned. Only natural substances, such as propolis, wax and vegetable oils can be used in the hives which must be made from wood. Plastic or varnishes cannot be applied within the hives which must be situated in an area able to provide nectar, honeydew, pollen and water for the bees. The bees’ territory is within a 3 km radius of organic cultivation and spontaneous plant life. The hives must also be situated away from any source of urban pollution such as towns, motorways, industrial areas, waste-disposal tips and incinerators, etc.
Organic honey is used for homeopathic and natural cures where chemically produced ingredients are banned.

• it protects your health
• its healthier for the farmer
• it respects and sustains the environment
• it’s good to taste.

International research into the quality of organic products (Scarica il PDF)

Journal of Agriculture – analysis of organic and traditional diets. (Scarica il PDF)

Quality Safety Organic Food (Scarica il PDF)

Magazine AZ 6-2007 BIO – Biology and health (Scarica il PDF)

Magazine AZ BIO 6-2007 – The antioxidant (Scarica il PDF)

Magazine AZ 6-2007 BIO – Bio and children (Scarica il PDF)

Lega Ambiente – Dossier Pesticides 2008 (Scarica il PDF)

Italian Organic Farming Associations:
www.organic-farming.europa.eu

Guide-lines for organic farming:
www.sinab.it

Processing and distribution of organic products:
www.assobio.it

Federation of Organic Farming & Bio-dinamics:
www.federbio.it

Organic Farmers Association:
www.aiab.it

Italian Beekeepers Union :
www.mieliditalia.it