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General Assembly of IFOAM Approves Principles of Organic Agriculture |
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September 28, 2005
General Assembly of IFOAM Approves Principles of Organic Agriculture |
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The General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) approved the revised Principles of Organic Agriculture, resulting from an intense two-year participatory process. They will serve to both inspire the organic movement in its full diversity, and to articulate the meaning of Organic Agriculture to the world at large. |
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With the continuous growth of the organic sector and the challenges and
opportunities that come with that growth, the IFOAM General Assembly
had come to the conclusion that the basic values, the fundamental
underpinning for organic agriculture, needed further reflection and
discussion.
The approved Principles of Organic Agriculture consist of 4 principles upon which organic agriculture is based:
The Principle of Health - Organic Agriculture should sustain and
enhance the health of soil, plant, animal and human as one and
indivisible.
The Principle of Ecology - Organic Agriculture should be based on
living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and
help sustain them.
The Principle of Fairness - Organic Agriculture should build on
relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common
environment and life opportunities.
The Principle of Care - Organic Agriculture should be managed in a
precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well
being of current and future generations and the environment.
The Preamble explains that the “Principles apply to agriculture in the
broadest sense, including the way people tend soils, water, plants and
animals in order to produce, prepare and distribute goods. They concern
the way people interact with living landscapes, relate to one another
and shape the legacy of future generations.” Each principle is
followed by an action-oriented explanation.
IFOAM’s newly elected president Gerald A. Herrmann from Germany
stated, “The formulation of the Principles of Organic Agriculture at
the global level is a major achievement. The Principles of Organic
Agriculture have been approved at a time when governments are revising
their regulations of organic agriculture. The public demands a value
oriented and credible system based on a clearly identifiable framework,
and IFOAM is just the organization to provide this. The Principles of
Organic Agriculture should also be recognized as a foundation for
public regulations. IFOAM will make significant efforts to ensure that
the Principles of Organic Agriculture are recognized by the Codex
Alimentarius, other United Nations agencies and governments worldwide.”
Angela B. Caudle, IFOAM’s newly appointed Executive Director, noted,
“From acknowledging the importance of precautionary management and
traditional knowledge, to recognition of social and ecological justice,
the Principles of Organic Agriculture provide a precise and systematic
framework for the further development of the organic sector that
ensures the integrity of the organic agricultural system.”
IFOAM is the worldwide umbrella organization of the organic movement,
uniting 771 member organizations in 108 countries. IFOAM’s mission is
leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full
diversity. IFOAM’s goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically,
socially and economically sound systems that are based on the
Principles of Organic Agriculture.
For press inquiries or to schedule
an interview, please contact Gerald A. Herrmann at: +49-177-5521460
(mobile), or contact the IFOAM Head Office: +49-228-92650-10.
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