Research in Organic Food and Farming in The Netherlands

This paper gives an overview of the current status of organic farming research in the Netherlands. In 2001, the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV produced its policy on organic agriculture, aiming at a market oriented organic production. The main objective presented in this policy document is that 10 % of the total cultivated agricultural area will be under organic farming in the Netherlands by the year 2010. One of the policy instruments to be applied to reach this objective is research on organic production. This policy resulted in an increase in organic farming research funding by the Ministry from 3 million Euro in 1999 to over 10 million Euro in 2003. In 2004, this policy on organic agriculture was evaluated. The evaluation included results of research and knowledge efforts and a new policy document for the period 2005-2007 was approved by the Parliament. The new (or prolongated) policy ambitions are: • 10 % of the total cultivated area will be under organic farming by 2010 • market share of organic products will be 5 % of total consumer spending by 2007 • the innovative strength of the organic production sector concerning sustainability will be enlarged by 2007