Tour B3, 30 June: Tour leaders: Frederik Thalbitzer Journalist at Landbrugsavisen, Chairman of the Danish Association of Agricultural Journalists Marendine Krainert Ladegaard Press officer, Organic Denmark Making a business out of organic farming In Denmark, organic food production is built up around a state-controlled sys - tem, which covers the whole food chain. All organic farms, suppliers and or - ganic food companies are subject to government inspections at least once a year as an add-on to other regulatory inspections. This ensures that organic food is produced in compliance with the EU’s organic regulations. In addition to living up to organic regulations, organic farmers and feed and food compa - nies must comply with the legislation that applies to food production in gener - al – in respect of the environment, nature, animal welfare, traceability, hygiene and food safety. On this tour we will visit two organic farms with an extra focus on environ - 16 ment, animal welfare and marketing. Månsson grows organic and conventional vegetables. The farm enter - prise plants 45 million cash crops annually. Axel Månsson will relate how he gradually shifted the farm to becoming organic, which he believes is healthier for people and the environment. In addition to vegetables, he also has a large production of organic eggs. Axel Månsson has established a biogas plant that provides nutrients for the vegetable crops. We will also meet Lone Andersen, a Danish or - ganic farmer and chairwoman of the COPA-COGECA working group on organic agriculture in the EU. She will meet us and we will have a debate about organ - ic legislation in the EU. Another farmer we will visit is Bertel Hestbjerg who has one of Denmark’s largest organic pig farms. He is particularly keen on animal welfare and with his concept ’poplar pigs’ improves animal welfare over and above the official minimum requirements. He has also established his own marketing company in order to gain a posi - tion on the market for his brand. The tour will end at the national farm ani - mal fair Landsskuet with free time to see ani - mals and machines followed by dinner and a debate with the chairman of the Danish Agri- culture & Food Council. After the above-mentioned visits we will con- tinue to the annual farm fair Landsskuet in Herning. See page 14.
Download PDF fil