March, 2007 - Bernward Geier, from Germany, is one of the pioneers of worldwide organic agriculture, with 20 years of experience as director for international Relations at the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. IFOAM is the global umbrella organization of organic farming, with more than 770 member organizations in 105 countries. Also he is the author of many books and various publications on organic farming and related subjects, and also practitioner of organic farming.
Geier visited Lebanon upon invitation by Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia and the Middle East Centre for the Transfer of Appropriate Technology (MECTAT). This interview sheds light on the advancement of organic agriculture worldwide.
Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: For 20 years you have been the Director of international relations of IFOAM Head office, what progress has been occurred at IFOAM, as an international organization, since its establishment in 1972.

Bernward Geier: IFOAM was established in 1972 and it unites the Organic World. From a tiny organization of 80 members in 20 countries in 1986, it has become a 760 Member Organizations in 104 Countries. IFOAM became accredited as an NGO observer with the UN, FAO, UNEP, and other international organizations. Since 1992 IFOAM is taking part in all of the World international conferences.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: Significant advancements in organic farming has taken place during the last 20 - 30 years, what are the present global figures?

Geier: Global figures for land areas under Organic Agriculture present the following prestigious status on continents basis:
" Europe: 6.2 million hectares
" Latin America: 6.3 mil. ha
" North America: 1.4 mil. ha
" Africa: 0.4 mil. ha
" Asia: 0.7 mil. ha
" Australia/Oceania: 13.3 mil. ha

But it should be noted that land area is no an indicator of production level. For example, in the table here above Australia/Oceania is represented as the biggest organic growing area. But most of this area has dry climate and the production there is very low. In other regions farmers can realize huge yields from small areas.

The diagram here below shows the ten countries that have the highest percentage of land areas that are under organic management system, but this does not mean that all farms are certified organic
The ten countries with the highest share of land under organic management

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: In the case of Europe, which is the main region where organic farming has developed during the last 100 years, what are the basic facts for Europe ?

Geier: The facts are the following:
o At the present, more than 5.7 million hectares of Europe's land area is certified as organic, which constitute 174,257 farms,
o Also rapid expansion of the organic food market took place during the last decade and it is still rising up. For example, in the case of Switzerland, market shares of up to 4 % was realized in 2005,
o Also strong government support occurred in most countries of Europe, through farm area based payments, research support, and through national action plans,
o The European Action for organic products was finalized in 2004 by EC, which regulates the organic agriculture sector all over Europe,
o In addition, IFOAM is represented at EU with an office in Brussels, which makes extensive lobbying for the advancement of the organic products.
Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What are the recent facts on the organic products that are marketed world-wide?

Geier: The world-wide organic market turnover for 2005 was 40 billion $US. But besides that, today there are various positive indicators, such as:
- 80-90 % is the market share for organic baby food in Germany,
- 30 % of the daily bread in and around Munich, Germany, is organic,
- 56 % of US citizens believe that organic foods are healthier,
- In recent years about 5 billion US $ sale values of organic fruits and vegetables occur per year in the USA.
- 60 % of Danes buy often organic vegetables and milk,
-"Number one" teas in Egypt are organic teas from SEKEM farms of Egypt,

All of these figures indicate that there are many success stories and the market of organic products are growing rapidly. People are keen for the preservation of their health and it is proven that organic food products contribute substantially in promoting good health.
Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What typical example you can give for pest management in organic farming?

Geier: Actually all depends on the availability of local resources and natural actors. In every region of the world different factors play their role, such as the climate, soil types, predators, and others. Farmers should be innovative in fighting against pests. A typical example I have noted in a rice farm in the Far East. In there farmers used to apply herbicides for controlling the weeds in their rice paddies. This practice has been costly and has created many environmental and health problems. The problem was solved by introducing the ducks in the rice fields. They eat all of the harmful weeds and leave the rice plants. On the other hand, their excrements fertilize the rice fields. This amounts to a perfect solution, where the farmers harvest bumper rice crops and at the same time get additional income from the sales of ducks. This also lead to a better environment and the protection the human health. A perfect solution. Similarly, everywhere in the world nature's power can be utilized for better results.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What are the essential success factors for realizing a boom in the organic production sector.

Geier: There are several factors that contribute when simultaneously applied. The main ones are: Strong consumer demand should be created, Sales should be achieved through "conventional" supermarkets, Moderate pricing should be applied not to exceed 50% level compared to conventionally grown and processed food products, One organic label should be used by the producers and traders in order not to confuse the consummers, and also Awareness raising and Professional promotion of organic products are needed.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What is the stand of organic movement on genetically modified organisms (GMO) ? Are they suitable?

Geier: GMOs are unconditionally banned in organic agriculture and food processing. This issue is treated separately in the adjacent page of this issue of E & D.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: How the world consumers are ensured that the organic products that they buy are real organic ?

Geier: This aspect of organic products growing and trading is well organized in the world. There is the ORGANIC GUARANTEE SYSTEM (OGS), which is based on 4 pillars namely Standards, Inspection, Certification, and Accreditation. But it should be noted that many organic farmers market their products locally, without the need for certification. They have gained the confidence of the local consumers. But for export markets certification is needed.

The International Organic Guarantee System is based on two things: The IFOAM Basic Standards (IBS); and, IFOAM Accreditation Criteria (IAC), which are under continuous development and upgrading, with regional variations.

IFOAM Accreditation Program is implemented by IOAS (International Accreditation Service Inc.), based on IBS and IAC.

But how all these are harmonized?
" International Organic Standards are controlled by the organic sector. There are 2 International Organic Standards: IFOAM Basic Standards, and the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines set by FAO and WHO
" Government Control in the national/international framework includes the promulgation of Laws & Regulations. So far 60 countries have regulations (37 fully implemented, 8 in process, 15 draft regulations). Some of these regulate the entire OGS and others only standards.
" There are also 3 Major Importing Governmental Regulations of US, EU, and Japan, who are the main importing countries of organic products.
" Inspection and Certification is done by Independent/NGO-based system, and there are more than 360 standards setting & certification bodies worldwide
" Accreditation is done by a single and specific international system, the IOAS, which is based on IFOAM's IBS and IAC. Now in the world there are 29 accredited certifying organizations and there are 3 new applicants.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What are the main problems of the organic world.

Geier: Import discrimination, the state of multiple certification & accreditation, daily difficulties in trade and procedural requirements (customs), question of roles between the private and public sectors, mechanisms of equivalency agreements are the min problems.

Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia: What progress you witnessed in the organic production sector during your 3-day visit in Lebanon? And what is your final suggestions.

Geier: During my 3-day stay in Lebanon I had a full day field visit to farms and organic food processing centers in Bekaa valley.
In Beirut a full day I met with officials responsible for the setting up laws and regulations in the organic agriculture sector. I also visited organic products shops in Beirut (The Health House in Ashrafieh) and met NGOs that promote organic products. On the last day of my visit I delivered a lecture on organic agriculture to 50 students and professors of AUB.
The Symposium on organic agriculture at Goethe Institut, which was the culmination of my visit attracted some 60 selected experts, traders, growers and promoters of organic agriculture in Lebanon. In all of these activities I witnessed positive signs on the future of Lebanese organic agriculture. I can certainly say that the organic movement is on the right track. But I wish further cooperation among various actors: farmers, traders, processors, promoters, certifiers and exporters in order to enable well organized global market penetration, which has high potential, given the fact that the Lebanese products are of high quality, due to the unique climate that enables the production of tasty products. I wish good luck to the Lebanese organic movement.

I extend my special thanks to Goethe-Institut, particularly to its Director, Dr. Norbert Spitz and his staff who have facilitated this wonderful mission of mine. I also thank MECTAT and Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia (Environment & Development) magazine and its staff who organized my activities in Lebanon. I also thank the institutions and individuals who took part in the presentations of the symposium on organic farming.