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BioFach 2005 |
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March 02, 2005
IFOAM welcomed the world of organic trade at BioFach fair in Nuremberg, Germany |
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Bonn – Nuremberg, March 2nd 2005 – After four days of trade, negotiations and a diverse educational program, BioFach - the world leading fair for organic products - was brought to a conclusion on Sunday the 27th of February with record-breaking participation and the realization of an overall increase in attendance approaching 10%. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) celebrated its 10th year as the patron of BioFach and met the challenge to organize a joint symposium with the German Ministry for Consumer protection and Agriculture, launching the “Organic World Café” and a series of IFOAM specific events. IFOAM once again provided the international discussion platform, created opportunities and offered an impressive educational program. A great atmosphere and happy faces everywhere reflected the fact that the boom for organic trade and products keeps forging ahead. |
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The BioFach fair once again broke all its records. Remarkably, the
attendance of professional visitors grew by 10%, totaling 32,500
visitors this year. Similarly, both the number of exhibitors and the
square footage of the exhibition expanded by 8% and 9%, respectively.
Bernward Geier, Director for International Relations emphasized that
“as the international patron of BioFach, it is of great importance for
IFOAM that exhibitors represent the organic world – more than one third
of the visitors came from abroad and two third of exhibitors were
international, representing 69 countries”
IFOAM’s service center never saw a quiet moment. The impressive range
of about 40 IFOAM publications met broad interest from visitors. The
immense knowledge of IFOAM experts, World Board members and staff
facilitated the dissemination of information and networking for diverse
interests. Thomas Cierpka, IFOAM’s Director for Member Relations and
Operations noted “at BioFach, IFOAM lives its mission, which is
leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full
diversity. We offered services, expertise and were able to grow our
membership by 20 new applicants.”
The IFOAM restaurant “Osteria Armonia” was a focal point, where people
enjoyed good organic and fair trade coffee from Costa Rica and culinary
delights from Italy.
The fair strengthened its reputation and continued its role as one of
the most important opportunities to exchange information, learn,
discuss and strategize. Close to 5000 people participated in the
educational program. About 15 international seminars were organized by
IFOAM alone. Topics ranged from “The Principles of Organic Agriculture”
and “Ethics in Trade” to “GMOs” and “Wild harvesting of organic
products”. The presentation of the 7th revised edition of the
publication The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging
Trends 2005, which gained significant attention, reported the latest
trends and figures on organic farming and markets around the world The
respective publication is available from the IFOAM Head Office (16
Euros) and can be purchased as a download on the IFOAM or FibL websites
(8 Euros).
This year’s BioFach also saw the launch of the “Organic World Café”, an
event exclusively organized for the trade by the IFOAM Trade
Forum. The “Organic World Café” provided a platform for organic
trade and business, combining presentations from around the world and
the celebration of key personalities, while highlighting vanguard
developments in a fun, interactive and delightful gourmet and organic
way.
The symposium “Globalization yes, but value oriented, organic and fair”
was the highlight of IFOAM’s events. This event was organized in
cooperation with the German Ministry of Consumer Protection and
Agriculture (BMVEL) for the third consecutive year. Presentations from
the Brazilian Minister of Agriculture Roberto Rodrigues, Germany’s
Minister of Consumer Protection and Agriculture Renate Künast and the
activist and alternative Nobel Prize Laureate Vandana Shiva from India
were followed by discussion and debate amongst the 300 participants
from 36 countries.
BioFach also served as the platform for launching an international
promotion campaign for the upcoming 15th IFOAM Organic World Congress,
which will take place from September 20th – 23rd 2005 in
Adelaide/Australia (more information about the congress can be found
at: www.nasaa.com.au/ifoam2005).
IFOAM’s Vice President and Executive Director Gerald A. Herrmann
summarized IFOAM’s engagement and activities at BioFach, stating “IFOAM
is proud that its leading role in spearheading the development of
organic in the world could be demonstrated again at this year’s
BioFach. The optimism of all organic players is not only unwavering,
but is strongly supported by the growing market figures. The movement
is also able to point its fingers to critical developments like social
benefits, biodiversity and the firm “no” to all genetic engineering.”
IFOAM Press Release, responsible Bernward Geier, Director for International Relations
IFOAM Head Office:
Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany
Tel: ++49-228-926 50 10 - Fax: ++49-228-926 50 99
www.ifoam.org, E-Mail: headoffice@ifoam.org
Pictures of BioFach and IFOAM related events may be requested from the
Head Office. Spanish and German versions of the press release will also
be available.
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