2030 Organic Strategy

2030 Organic Strategy 2030 Organic Strategy National Strategy for 30% Organic Production in the Farming and Food Sector by 2030 bmel.de https://www.bmel.de/DE/Home/home node.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 3 30 percent organic by 2030 – this is the goal we set ourselves within the Federal Government. This is clearly an ambitious goal. However, there are good reasons for setting this goal and devising our 2030 Organic Strategy. Organic farming creates added value for all of us in many different ways: the conservation of biological diversity, the protection of water resources, the preser­ vation of fertile soils and the active storage of carbon. It also pays off. Organic farming can help us save up to 800 euros in environmental costs per hectare per year. These are costs we would otherwise have to bear as a society. Moreover, organic farming halves greenhouse gas emissions in crop production in relation to the area of farmland used. Organic production also provides new business oppor­ tunities for farmers and food business operators. There is a steadily growing market and high statutory standards that have been trialled by tens of thousands of enterpris­ es. Regions and communities where organic production is well established are seeing v strengthening of regional value chains and craft businesses. The innovations made in organic farming can also benefit the entire agricultural sector. This is why we want to use our National Strategy for 30% Organic Production in the Farming and Food Sector by 2030 to create opportunities for converting to organic. To achieve this, we have fleshed out 30 measures that go far beyond just the production of food. In order to attain the 30 percent target, we will focus on the entire value chain, including consumers. We will cover all stake­ holders including business operators and science. We intend to use away­from­home catering as a lever. After all, we can reach a large amount of people via school meals, preschool meals, canteens and restaurants, and in this way boost the production and processing of organic foodstuffs. Likewise, comprehensive communication on the benefits of organic food for society is crucial. We are all faced with the necessity of making agricul­ ture and food resilient to crisis. This is why we want to better exploit the potential of organic and not lose any more time. 30 percent organic is a great opportunity for making enterprises, the environment and our climate fit for the future. This 2030 Organic Strategy is the roadmap we need to achieve this goal. Best wishes Cem Özdemir, Member of the German Bundestag Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture Dear Readers “30 percent organic is a great opportunity for making enter- prises, the environment and our climate fit for the future.” 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 4 1 Introduction 8 2 The development, aims and content of the 2030 Organic Strategy 12 2.1 The Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming and its evolution 13 2.2 What process was used to develop the Strategy? 15 2.3 What are the main points in the 2030 Organic Strategy? 16 2.4 How will the measures be implemented? 18 2.5 What further steps are planned? 19 3 Main features of the 2030 Organic Strategy 20 3.1 Global challenges 21 3.2 State of knowledge regarding the social and environmental benefits of organic farming 22 3.3 State of knowledge regarding the economic viability of organic farming and its contribution to food security 24 4 Status quo of the organic agri-food sector 26 4.1 Development of organic farming 27 4.2 Income situation of organic holdings 30 4.3 Development of the organic market 31 4.4 Funding framework for organic farming 33 5 Action areas and measures 36 5.1 Action Area 1: Input markets 37 Measure 1 Supporting plant and animal breeding for organic farming 38 Measure 2 Continuing to develop the input markets for organic farming and the organic value chain 39 Measure 3 Developing digital instruments for better data and input management 40 5.2 Action Area 2: Production 42 Measure 4 Exploiting organic farming’s yield potential 42 CONTENTS 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 5 Measure 5 Strengthening legumes as a basis of organic cultivation systems 43 Measure 6 Raising awareness of the potential of organic grassland farming 45 Measure 7 Strengthening organic livestock husbandry and feed 46 Measure 8 Promoting the development, reinforcement and transparency of animal welfare in organic farming 48 Measure 9 Continuing to develop region-specific and site-specific conversion concepts 49 Measure 10 Promoting biological and genetic diversity in agricultural landscapes, crops and livestock 50 5.3 Action Area 3: Processing and trade 51 Measure 11 Promoting value chains through management and networking 52 Measure 12 Continuing to develop fair partnerships 53 Measure 13 Tailoring support schemes to small and medium-sized enterprises along the organic value chain 54 Measure 14 Supporting the creation and expansion of regional and organic processing and marketing capacities 55 5.4 Action Area 4: Diet and society 57 Measure 15 Further expanding communication on “organic” 58 Measure 16 Increasing the share of organic food in the canteens of the federal administrative authorities and in other state-subsidised mass catering facilities 59 Measure 17 Facilitating the use of organic foodstuffs in away-from-home catering companies 61 Measure 18 Strengthening advisory services for away-from-home catering companies interested in conversion 63 Measure 19 Strengthening education on the production and processing of organic foods along the value chain 64 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 6 5.5 Action Area 5: Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure 66 Measure 20 Aligning research strategies and schemes to the organic food and agricultural sector 67 Measure 21 Strengthening and equipping the BMEL’s ministerial research to provide policy support on the organic food and agricultural sector 68 Measure 22 Structurally strengthening the regional research landscape, developing young research talent, expanding knowledge on the organic food and agricultural sector and strengthening innovation 69 Measure 23 Triggering transformation via practical research on organic production and sustainable diet 70 Measure 24 Structurally integrating and improving the methodology of knowledge transfer and research communication 73 Measure 25 Promoting teaching about the organic food and agricultural sector at universities 74 Measure 26 Improving the availability of data on organic farming and the organic food sector 75 5.6 Action Area 6: A coherent legal and support framework 77 Measure 27 Gearing the Improvement of the Regional Economic Structure (GRW) and the Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection (GAK) more strongly towards the goals of sustainability, environmental protection and climate stewardship and the GAK also towards the organic food and agricultural sector 78 Measure 28 Gearing the CAP more strongly towards the goals of sustainability, environment protection, climate stewardship and organic farming 79 Measure 29 Continuing to develop Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and creating a coherent national regulatory framework for boosting the organic food and agricultural sector 80 Measure 30 Developing organic farming methods as a policy option for the Global South to achieve the human right to adequate food 82 6 References and lists of tables, figures and abbreviations 84 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 7 1 Introduction 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 9 Climate change is having a significant impact on agricultural productivity (Okolie et al., 2023) and is consequently threatening food security and the livelihoods of millions of people (IPCC, 2014). Rising temperatures and dynamic rainfall patterns, with considerable fluctuations in the inten­ sity and frequency of extreme events such as drought and floods, are hampering agricultural production – both in Germany and worldwide. We need dynamic agriculture and food systems adapted to the planetary boundaries so that they are ecologically compatible, resilient and eco­ nomic in their use of limited resources. The governing parties therefore set themselves the goal in the coalition agreement of aligning the entire agricultural sector, in all its diversity, to the goals of environmental protection and resource conservation.1 In doing so, they are following the recommendations of the Commis­ sion on the Future of Agriculture (Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft – ZKL, 2021) and the Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection at the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für Agrarpolitik, Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz – WBAE, 2020). The Federal Government is providing inter­ministerial support for this transformation with wide­ranging measures. One element is organic farming, as this production system can help protect biodiversity and mitigate climate change, in particular because it reduces nitrogen inputs, dispenses with highly soluble mineral nitrogen fertilisers and increases soil carbon sequestration (Sanders & Heß, 2019; Weckenbrock et al., 2019; Chiriaco et al., 2022 and Hülsbergen et al., 2022). Regulation (EU) 2018/8482 defines and legally regulates organic farming, with a particular focus on resource conservation and environ­ mental compatibility. However, the yields in organic farming are lower than in conventional systems. The more inten­ sive conventional farming is, the greater this difference (De Ponti et al., 2012). However, in view of the continual increase in the global population and the fact that certain planetary boundaries are being transgressed (cf. fig. 3), this status quo poses an equal challenge to both farming systems. In order to think through both the advantages and the challenges of organic farming systems (Azarbad, 2022) and to then act accordingly, the Federal Government has, as set out in the coali­ tion agreement, decided to expand the percentage of agricultural land under organic farming in Germany to 30 percent3 by 2030. There are also efforts at Laender level to expand organic farming [for example in Baden­Württemberg (30­40 percent by 2030), Bavaria and Saarland (30 percent by 2030), Hesse (25 percent by 2025) and Brandenburg (20 percent by 2024)].4 1 2021 to 2025 coalition agreement: “Sustainable agriculture simultaneously serves the interests of the holdings, of animal welfare and of nature and is the basis for a healthy diet” (page 43). “We will align the entire agricultural sector, in all its diversity, to the goals of environmental protection and resource conservation (organic farming).” (page 46). 2 Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. Official Journal of the European Union L 150/1 of 14 June 2018. 3 2021 to 2025 coalition agreement: “We will align the entire agricultural sector, in all its diversity, to the goals of environmental protection and resource conservation (organic farming). We aim to develop agriculture in harmony with nature and the environment. We aim to achieve 30 percent organic farming by 2030. To this end, we intend to increase federal funds for the Federal Organic Farming Scheme and, in accordance with the expansion goal, provide agricultural research funds for research related to organic farming. We are expanding the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming to include the entire organic value chain.” (page 46). 4 The German Sustainable Development Strategy states the aim of expanding organic farming to 20 percent of agricultural land by 2030 (2021 German Sustainable Development Strategy). The 30 percent goal set out in the current government’s coalition agreement is reiterated in Germany’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan; this is higher than the goal the European Commission laid down in its Farm to Fork Strategy of 25 percent of agricultural land across the EU under organic farming by 2030 (Isermeyer et al., 2020). 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 10 It is not just the organic sector itself which profits from the expansion of organic farming; this expansion also creates added value for the entire agricultural sector and beyond. The Commis­ sion on the Future of Agriculture attests to organic farming’s high innovative strength, citing as examples mechanical weeding and mobile housing for laying hens, both of which have long been adopted in conventional farming.5 Conversely, organic farming must also continue to make use of scientific findings in order to compensate for disadvantages, for example the lower yields of specific crops (Azarbad, 2022). Research findings, for example on site­adapted crop rotation systems, nutrient management, soil fertility and breeding, should therefore be used to determine and meet the need for further research and innovations to assist the development of organic farming. 5 Commission on the Future of Agriculture (2021): “The Future of Agriculture A common agenda”. Recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Agriculture, Berlin, 160 pages, [cf: https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532 /1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 (p. 103)]. 6 Cf. in this regard: https://www.euractiv.de/section/landwirtschaft-und-ernahrung/news/kommission-startet- konsultation-zum-bio-landwirtschaft-plan/ To ensure that supply and demand for organic products grow equally, we need at the same time to develop the organic food industry and increase the consumption of organic products. How­ ever, high inflation recently put the food trade under increasing pressure, showing more clearly a shift from classic health food retailing and direct sales towards organic products being sold by discount stores and supermarkets. Nevertheless, organic farming and the organic food indus­ try represent an important path of development for the entire food and agricultural sector. EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski therefore considers organic farming to be an integral part of the EU’s Green Deal for the entire agricultural sector. He regards organic farming as an “important ally in the transition to a more sustainable food system and to a better pro­ tection of our biodiversity”6. The European Commission attaches great importance to organic farming, and the aim to have 25 percent of the EU’s agricultural land (around 40 million hectares) under organic farming by 2030 is laid down in both the Farm to Fork Strategy (COM, 2020a) and in the EU Biodiversity Strategy (COM, 2020b). The global challenges, as set out in the United Na­ tions Sustainable Development Goals, guide policy in this regard. To achieve the European Green Deal’s aim, the European Commission launched an Action Plan for the Development of Organic https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.euractiv.de/section/landwirtschaft-und-ernahrung/news/kommission-startet-konsultation-zum-bio-landwirtschaft-plan/ https://www.euractiv.de/section/landwirtschaft-und-ernahrung/news/kommission-startet-konsultation-zum-bio-landwirtschaft-plan/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 11 Production in the EU in March 2021. This has initiated the transformation to more sustainability in agriculture and food systems at EU level as well. The transformation of agriculture and food systems is being driven forward at global level under the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) pro­ cess. National dialogues are an important component for the development and implementation of country­specific solutions and approaches, also in respect of global challenges. Instruments and measures for the implementation of a sustainable supply of agricultural food are one key aspect of the national dialogue in Germany. We will only be successful in leveraging the potentials of the organic food and agricultural sectors as a contribution to ecologically compatible agriculture if all stakeholders in the Feder­ ation, the Laender, the value chain and civil society understand the seriousness of the situation and their potential to act. The Commission on the Future of Agriculture states in this regard that “Greening an economically profitable farming sector in Germany, which has excellent land for agriculture, comes at a price. Not to do so would be even more costly. Much more costly – for agriculture, for the national economy and for social cohesion in society, both now and in the future.” It also follows from this that the true value and the true cost of (organic) food for society should be communicated transparently and ultimately also reflected on the market. Ultimately, this would mean that instruments to internalise external costs would need to be considered. This would support citizens in following a sustainable, resource­conserving diet geared to the public interest. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) can lay the groundwork for this through targeted measures and has drawn up the 2030 Organic Strategy - a National Strategy for 30 % Organic Food and Farming by 2030. Six action areas, comprising 30 measures, were derived from these approaches. The aim is to have an organic food and agricultural sector that uses its innovative strength to make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the entire food and agricultural sector. THE 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY FOCUSES ON FOUR PIVOTAL APPROACHES: → providing better remuneration for services of general interest rendered by the organic farming and food sector; → supporting the processing of and trade in organic food and increasing the amount of organic food in away­from­home catering; → strengthening research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure for the organic food chain; and → drawing up solutions to remove bureaucratic obstacles. 2 The develop- ment, aims and content of the 2030 Organic Strategy 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 13 2.1 The Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming and its evolution In order to drive organic farming forward at national level, the BMEL presented the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming, which was drawn up in 2017, to the public and used it as a basis for its work (BMEL, 2017). The Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming has the goal of having 20 percent of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. This Strategy for the Future identified five action areas. A total of 24 measures were developed to implement the action needed. This strategy has provided important impetus in recent years and consequent­ ly led to changes in the structure of the sector (Sanders et al., 2020). For detailed information on what the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming initiated and achieved, please go to the BMEL’s website.7 The current political, economic and socio­political conditions differ greatly from conditions in previous years, due for example to the COVID­19 pandemic (2020­2022), the impact of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine since 2022, the climate crisis, the ongoing loss of soil and the extinction of species. This necessitates rigorous action to evolve the strategy. At the same time, the aim must be to qualitatively develop the organic food and agricultural sectors. For instance, the resilience (Azarbad, 2022) and production potential of organic farming could be better exploited, and the scientifically documented, societally relevant environmental services that organic farming provides could be enhanced (Sanders & Heß, 2019). 7 Available at: https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/zukunftsstrategie-oekologischer-landbau.html Source: BMEL (2017) https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/zukunftsstrategie-oekologischer-landbau.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 14 Figure 1: Annual increase in the area under organic management in Germany until 2022 and scenarios of the potential increase to achieve the 25 percent target of the EU and the 30 percent target of the Federal Government by 2030. Source: Thünen Institute (2023) The intended aim of 30 percent of organic farming by 2030 corresponds practically to a three­ fold increase in the area under organic farming (cf. fig. 1). We therefore need to rapidly imple­ ment fast­acting, evidence­based methods and technologies. We need to create a target­oriented environment for the various different levels, sites, goals and production systems. These must support all stakeholders in the organic food and agricultural industries in their efforts to achieve the objectives. The 2030 Organic Strategy aims to help motivate and mobilise all stakeholders involved along the entire value chain to participate in developing the organic food and agricul­ tural sector and achieving the 30 percent goal. The 2030 Organic Strategy supports many other national policy instruments, for example the Action Plan on Nature­based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity, the German Sustainable Development Strategy, the National Water Strategy, the National Biodiversity Strategy, the National Livestock Husbandry Strategy, the Climate Change Act, Germany’s Strategic Plan to implement the Common Agricultural Policy (GAP), the development of rural areas and, not least, the goals agreed on in the concept paper for the Food and Nutrition Strategy. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 15 2.2 What process was used to develop the Strategy? To develop the 2030 Organic Strategy, the BMEL initiated a multi­stakeholder and participative process that facilitated broad participation and integration of all interested stakeholders. The stakeholders included, for example, representatives from the Laender, several ministries, science, the food and agricultural sector, agricultural practice and the general public. Excellence teams working in parallel assessed the status quo on a number of different issues and drew up proposals for measures. Expert forums were held to present and discuss the interim results. The BMEL reported transparently on this process and the results on its website and in this way provided all interested parties with an opportunity to participate.8 The BMEL also picked up on ideas and comments in talks and discussions at many different events. Overall, around a thousand individ­ uals and a hundred groups or institutions participated. The process was developed and coordi­ nated by the BMEL and supported by the Thünen Institute, one of the BMEL’s ministerial research institutes, and the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE), the BMEL’s project executing agency. 8 Cf.: https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/zukunftsstrategie-oekologischer-landbau.html Discussion at the workshop on “25% organic farming and more – what kind of research do we need to meet the goal?” at the 16th scientific conference on organic farming at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Frick on 7 March 2023 Discussion at the plenary on “Further development of the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming” at the BIOFACH on 16 February 2023 https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/zukunftsstrategie-oekologischer-landbau.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 16 2.3 What are the main points in the 2030 Organic Strategy? The 2030 Organic Strategy is based on the Federal Government’s goal of aligning the entire agricultural sector, in all its diversity, to the goals of environmental protection and resource conservation. The goal of having 30 percent organic farming is, according to the European Commission, an important contribution to the transformation of the entire food and agricultural sector. The following key points and approaches are the main focus of the Federal Government’s activities: → Adequate remuneration of services of general interest. The provision of services to society must be worthwhile for the agricultural enterprises and must offer them a sufficient and competitive economic base. What is needed is an evidence­based methodology that assesses the services of general interest provided by agricultural measures and creates incentives for all farmers, including those that would like to change to organic farming. Organic farming has so far not received sufficient remuneration for the services of general interest it provides, such as animal welfare, climate change mitigation and the protection of biodiversity, soil and waters (Hülsbergen et al., 2023). → Strengthening sustainability along the value chain. Expanding organic farming to 30 per­ cent of German agricultural land requires sustainable development of the entire value chain. Strengthening inputs (seed, fertilisers, plant protection agents, hygiene products, feed, machinery and livestock housing systems) through alignment to the requirements of organic farming, and strengthening organic food processing and trade, in regional value chains wher­ ever possible, safeguards existing jobs and creates new jobs. It also strengthens the economy, which may be of particular benefit to structurally disadvantaged areas. → Increasing the amount of organic products in away-from-home catering. Organic food in away-from-home catering is an underdeveloped market segment which, however, offers great opportunities for sales. The aim must be to leverage unexploited potential without neglecting social aspects. → Supporting the development of the organic food and agricultural sector through more research, knowledge transfer and data. To date, research has not been geared to adequately support the goal of 30 percent organic farming. The BMEL will therefore focus its ministerial research more strongly on the organic food and agricultural sector, and devote more of the federal funds for the BMEL’s research schemes to this sector. In collaboration with other re­ search stakeholders (for example the Laender), the research infrastructure will be expanded to benefit research into the organic sector. There will be a targeted focus on expanding synergies with other farming systems based on evidence­based methods and procedures. Knowledge transfer and data are essential for business decisions and sustainable development; the BMEL will therefore seek to expand practice research networks and “living labs” as locations for knowledge transfer and transformation research. Access to data from research and market data will be improved for practitioners and for advisory services. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 17 → Legal obstacles and bureaucratic hurdles for the organic food and agricultural sector will be addressed and stakeholders supported in overcoming them. Agriculture, as almost all sectors in Germany, faces ever greater bureaucratic challenges. This also applies to enterprises in the organic sector. The requirements, and also the cost of approvals, applications and document­ ation, are particular high in the organic sector, due for example to the fact that organic prod­ ucts need to be certified and traceable along the entire value chain. In order to persuade farms to convert to organic farming, and to keep those who have already gone organic, we need to examine how to reduce existing obstacles and prevent the introduction of new obstacles. Reducing red tape was one of the tasks the governing parties set themselves in the coalition agreement.9 The Federal Government’s key issues paper will outline the next steps towards a further law on reducing red tape10. The supporting infrastructure, such as points of contact for practical advice and internet­based platforms for applicants, documentation and information, will be established and expanded to provide assistance in coping with bureaucracy along the entire value chain. 9 2021 to 2025 coalition agreement: “We aim to simplify procedures and rules and to create more time for industry, in particular the self-employed, to deal with their core tasks.” (page 32). 10 Accessible under: https://www.bmj.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Gesetzgebung/Eckpunkte/Eckpunkte BuerokratieentlastungsG.html?nn=148026 These five main aspects led to six action areas with a total of 30 measures; these are intended to help expand the organic food and agricultural sector (cf. fig. 2): ACTION AREAS FOCUSED ON THE LINKS IN THE VALUE CHAIN: → Align the input markets for the food and agricultural sector to the growth goal for organic farming. → Exploit the production potential of organic farming. → Strengthen processing and trade in organic foods. → Promote more sustainable diets through organic foods; this also includes society strengthening, supporting and appreciating organically produced food. ADDITIONAL ACTION AREAS: → Expand research relating to the organic food and agricultural sector, improve networking, create infrastructures, make knowledge and data available to stakeholders. → Make the legal and support framework consistent and align it firmly to the 30 percent organic farming goal. https://www.bmj.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Gesetzgebung/Eckpunkte/Eckpunkte BuerokratieentlastungsG.html?nn=148026 https://www.bmj.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Gesetzgebung/Eckpunkte/Eckpunkte BuerokratieentlastungsG.html?nn=148026 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY Figure 2: Action areas Source: BMEL (2023) 2.4 How will the measures be implemented? Continuing with the necessary development of organic farming and the organic food industry means ensuring political continuity and reliability. The 2030 Organic Strategy, as an evolution of the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming, provides a foundation for this over the coming years. The Federal Programme for Organic Farming (BÖL) is one of the instruments for implementing the measures described in the 2030 Organic Strategy. It was launched in 2002 to improve the framework for organic farming and was also a key instrument in the Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming. To achieve the 30 percent goal, it will be necessary to equip the Federal Pro­ gramme for Organic Farming with corresponding funds. The Protein Crop Strategy also contains support measures for the organic food and agricultural sector. Other BMEL support schemes will in future also take into account subjects relating to the organic food and agricultural sector. The BMEL’s ministerial research will also carry out adequate research regarding the organic food and agricultural sector. Overall, 30 percent of the BMEL’s research budget will be used for research in this area. The European Commission is taking similar action (COM, 2021). It intends to use at least 30 percent of total funds for research and innovation measures in the areas of agriculture, forestry and rural areas for topics about or relating to the organic sector. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 19 2.5 What further steps are planned? Only through close cooperation within the Federal Government, Federation and Laender, and between the stakeholders in science, society, industry, administration, advisory services and practice, will it be possible to significantly expand and develop the organic food and agricultural sector. The various measures need to be implemented more quickly, as there are only seven years to go to achieve the organic farming goal by 2030. The measures must, however, be geared beyond 2030 to the long term in order to achieve a sustainable development of the organic food and agricultural industry. The aim must therefore be to create the right legal, funding and structural conditions. The BMEL will report regularly on the implementation of the 2030 Organic Strategy. An interim review will be carried out in 2026 and the evaluation of the 2030 Organic Strategy drawn up in 2030. COOPERATIVE WORK AT THE FOLLOWING LEVELS CONTINUALLY ASSESSES AND DEVELOPS THE 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE WORK OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS. → Inter-ministerial cooperation: Within the Federal Government, there is a close technical exchange to implement the 2030 Organic Strategy. → Cooperation between the Federation and the Laender: There is a close exchange between the Federation and the Laender at technical level; this also exists or is being established to implement the 2030 Organic Strategy. The cooperation builds on existing exchange formats, such as the regular meetings of the Federation and Laender policy officers for the organic sector. → Expert advice: To implement the 2030 Organic Strategy, the BMEL is advised by experts from industry, science and agricultural advisory services as well as by the Monitoring Committee on the 2030 Organic Strategy. → Cooperation at EU level: The European Commission has launched a body of “organic ambassadors” to flank the work being carried out to implement the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production. This body is made up of delegates from the EU Member States. The BMEL has assumed this task on behalf of Germany. 3 Main features of the 2030 Organic Strategy 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 21 3.1 Global challenges Many of the planetary boundaries (fig. 3) first described in 2009 with the “Planetary Boundary Concept” (Rockström et al., 2009) have recently been deemed to have been transgressed (Richard­ son et al., 2023). Global warming (IPCC, 2022), biodiversity loss (IPBES, 2019), ever scarcer fresh­ water reserves (Wang­Erlandsson et al., 2022) and over­exploited nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (Gruber & Galloway, 2008) present a particularly huge threat to the ecological viability of the planet. Agricultural production depends on sufficient and intact natural resources, especially soils and biodiversity, and is hence directly affected. At the same time, agriculture is also partly to blame, especially for the loss of biodiversity, the overexploitation of phosphorus and nitrogen cycles (Campbell et al., 2017) and the generation of greenhouse gas emissions (EEA, 2022). Figure 3: Planetary boundaries Source: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research/data from Richardson et al., Science Advances (2023) The Commission on the Future of Agriculture cited a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG, 2019), which estimates the negative environmental impact – caused by agriculture – in Germany as amounting to at least 90 billion euros each year. This is threefold the value creation of the sector (BMEL, 2022). Society incurs these costs (fig. 4); however, according to a study and the recommendation by the Commission on the Future of Agriculture, these costs could be reduced by approximately a third by transforming the entire agri­food sector towards sustainable methods and modern technologies. This could also be underpinned by reducing and converting subsidies harmful to nature (BfN, 2019). A comprehensive shift in society towards 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 22 changed consumer behaviour adapted to natural conditions and boundaries would be necessary to further reduce the external costs. With a share of 11 percent and 1.9 million hectares, the areas currently under organic management already reduce environmental costs by approximately 1.4 billion euros (approx. 750 euros/ha; Hülsbergen et al., 2022). The long­term study conducted over the course of 13 years ascribes this effect to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. An increase of the covered area to 30 percent would thus potentially make savings of 4 billion euros feasible. By ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1993), the Paris Agreement (2015) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD, 1992), and by committing to realise the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs, 2012), Germany has assumed responsibility for contributing its fair share to reducing the pressure on planetary boundaries. 3.2 State of knowledge regarding the social and environmental benefits of organic farming Sanders & Heß (2019) evaluated 528 scientific studies using 2,826 comparative pairs to assess the social benefits of organic and conventional farming. Just like the WBAE (2019), the 22 authors conclude that organic farming has clear advantages over conventional farming with regard to the different goals the Federal Government pursues in the area of environment and society and the transformation of the agri­food sector (table 1) if the plot size, or the herd size in the case of livestock, is used as the reference value.11 Figure 4: Costs incurred by society arising from the German agricultural sector Source: BCG (2019) 11 The Science Council (2023) also recommends a transformation of agri-food systems and a corresponding reorganisation of agricultural and nutritional sciences in Germany. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 23 However, the study also shows that there is room for improvement and the need for optimisation in organic farming. Promoting this type of cultivation is also crucial in order to be able to make use of organic farming as a key path of transformation for conventional farming. Organic farming clearly produces better results Organic farming clearly produces comparable results Organic farming clearly produces poorer results Organic farming is expected to produce better results Organic farming is expected to produce comparable results Organic farming is expected to produce poorer results Output area Indicator Reference value selected in the study No. of studies No. of com- para- tive pairs Evaluation of services to society based on a quantitative analysis of literature results qualitative analysis of literature results Water Nitrogen Area 71 202 Nitrogen Yield 8 24 PPP Area 12 66 Phosphorusa Area 13 43 VMPs Area 0 0 Soil Earth- worms Abundance Area 21 64 Biomass Area 17 93 Soil acidity Area 30 71 Phosphorous Area 14 35 Soil penetration resistance Area 4 44 Biodiversity Flora Number of species Area 42 128 Abundanceb Area 8 19 Fauna Number of species Area 31 67 Abundance Area 28 98 Climate action Soils / plants SOC content Area 103 270 SOC storage Area 52 131 C storage Area 17 41 N2O emissions Area 13 35 CH4 emissions Area 3 6 Total GHG Yield – – Dairy cows CH4 emissions Yield – – Total GHG Yield – – Climate change adaptation Crop rotation effects (C factor) Area 3 6 Proportion of organic matter Area 24 71 Soil aggregate stability Area 22 76 Bulk density Area 13 30 Infiltration Area 11 28 Surface drainage Area 9 22 Erosionc Area 16 45 Resource efficiency N input Area 39 113 N efficiency Yield 36 114 N balance Area 37 114 Energy input Area 53 142 Energy efficiency Yield 38 101 Animal welfared Dairy cows Animal health Herd 46 286 Animal behaviour Herd 3 10 Emotions Herd 1 3 Pigs Animal health Herd 8 51 Animal behaviour Herd 2 2 Emotions Herd – – Poultry Animal health Herd 6 28 Animal behaviour Herd 2 4 Emotions Herd 3 5 Table 1: Services to society provided by organic farming compared to conventional agriculture Source: Sanders & Heß (2019) 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 24 3.3 State of knowledge regarding the economic viability of organic farming and its contribution to food security The legally prescribed ban of certain inputs in organic farming (in particular easily soluble mineral fertilisers and chemical­synthetic plant protection products) has the following effects: on the one hand, the expected services to society (climate stewardship, protection of soils and water resources, biodiversity) can be ensured; on the other hand, the yield levels tend to turn out lower than the yield levels of conventional management, depending on the crop species in question and the local production area in Germany. The average yield level in arable farming in Germany, depending on the site, crop and manage­ ment system, lies between 15 and 55 percent lower than the yield level of conventional farming, according to data from the German test farm network (table 2). Overall, it can be said that the differences in yield between organic and conventional farming practices are higher the more intensive the practices in conventional production are (use of fertil­ iser and plant protection products). This is equally true for crop species (Mäder et al., 2002; Taube & Verreet, 2006; Badgley et al., 2007; De Ponti et al., 2012; Seufert et al., 2012; Ponisio et al., 2015; Sanders & Heß, 2019; Wegner, 2021; Hülsbergen et al., 2022; BÖLW, 2023; DBV, 2023; Land­Data, 2023). The differences in yield are thus significantly more pronounced for particularly intensive crop species such as winter wheat (high nitrogen input) as opposed to extensive crop species such as oat or triticale. If less productive sites and lower production intensities are included, the yield differences between conventional and organic management have been proven to be significantly lower. Organic holdings (n=485) [qt/ha] Conventional reference holdings (n=2,071) [qt/ha] Difference (org. – conv.) [%] Grain 31.4 60.6 48 incl. Wheat 32.6 64.7 50 incl. Barley 33.0 61.0 54 Rape 14.8 32.9 46 Potatoes 251.3 388.4 35 Sugar beets 589.7 691.7 15 Table 2: Average yields in organic arable farming compared with conventional management (crop year of 2019, German test farm network) Source: Analysis conducted by the Thünen Institute (Destatis database query on 28/01/2023) 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 25 4 Status quo of the organic agri-food sector 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 27 It is a fact that organic farming has continually expanded since the late 1980s. This applies to the number of producing and processing establishments, to the area under organic management and to the organic market volume. The crucial factors for farms converting to organic farming or enterprises converting to organic processing include, other than the fundamental decision to opt for sustainable management, the expectation of profit, reliable marketing conditions and a growing demand. 4.1 Development of organic farming By the end of 2022, 36,912 producer farms in Germany operated according to the organic farming standards. The share of establishments under organic management came to 14.2 percent (BMEL, 2022). The average organic farm in Germany thus operates on just under 50 ha of land; however, there is a very broad range of farm sizes and types. The organic farms cover a wide range, from establishments with specialty crops, such as growing wine on a few hectares of land, to suckler cow farms of over 1,000 ha. The latter are primarily to be found in the eastern German Laender such as Brandenburg and Mecklenburg­Western Pomerania, on rather low­yielding sites and grassland areas. Figure 5: Share of total agricultural land under organic management in 2022 according to Laender; city-states 19.3 % Source: Thünen Institute (2023) based on BMEL (2023b) The relative importance of organic farming varies significantly at regional level. In 2022, the share of the total agricultural area under organic management came to 20.7 percent in Saarland and 16.6 percent in Brandenburg, whereas Lower Saxony had an organic share of just under 6 percent (fig. 5); the average share was 11.2 percent. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 28 The particular characteristics of the organic production system have, under the previous policy framework, resulted in the organic sector farming greater shares of lower­quality sites that have a lower yield potential and a large share of grassland. The results of the 2020 agricultural census once more underpin this observation. This is the case because the yield losses of organic farming are comparatively lower on land with lower potential than on high­yield locations (Schulze­Pals, 1994; Osterburg & Zander, 2004). The systemic characteristics of organic farming and the relatively higher economic potential on lower­quality land are reflected in the production structures of organic holdings and organic farming as a whole. Depending on the crop type and animal species, the relative importance of organic farming differs in some cases considerably. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 29 Organic farming accounted for 6.2 percent (384,000 ha) of total grain cultivation in 2021; the relative area under organic grain has been stable in recent years, at between 46 and 50 percent of organic arable land. Leguminous crops make up a large percentage of land under organic farm­ ing, due to their role in the organic farming system, namely their capacity to bind atmospheric nitrogen and release it into the ground. Further growth is expected for grain legumes (such as beans, peas, soy and lupins) due to the increasing demand for meat­free products. In terms of the area, small­seed legumes (especially clover and lucerne) account for the largest share of forage production and arable forage. Due to the stronger presence of organic farming in grassland sites (in less advantageous regions), the management of permanent pasture plays an important role. Over half of the area under organic management is permanent pasture, whereas the share of permanent pasture throughout Germany comes to just under 29 percent of agricultural land (Destatis, 2022). The ratio of arable land to pasture has remained practically the same in organic farming over the past 20 years. Organic animal husbandry has traditionally been dominated by ruminant species – also in view of organic farming’s relatively large percentage of low­yielding sites and the high share of pastureland. Over 25 percent of German suckler cows in Germany were owned by organic holdings in 2020. The husbandry of sheep and goats also plays a relatively important role in organic holdings; however, growth rates were rather low during the reviewed period of 2000 to 2021. Organically produced milk made up almost 4 percent of the entire output volume in Germany in 2020. As the average milk yield is lower, the share of dairy cows in organic farms is higher than the production share and amounted to almost 6 percent in 2020. The organic farming sector that has seen by far the sharpest increase is poultry. Over the past 10 years, the populations of laying hens, pullets and broiler chickens have multiplied by many times their number. This is also due to the increasing demand: in 2021, the share of total egg production made up by organic production in Germany was already as high as 16 percent. This trend is, in part, due to the introduction of mandatory egg labelling to indicate the type of husbandry. Pig farming, however, plays a relatively minor role in organic agriculture; the organic share of German fattening pigs has been around 1 percent for many years. In comparison, organic fruit and vegetable growing is of great importance. In the 2000 to 2021 review period, land under organic vegetables expanded by approximately 180 percent, from 6,500 to 18,220 ha. Organic vegetable growing therefore accounts for 14 percent of total vegetable production, which is well above the average percentage of total agricultural land under organic farming (Destatis, 2022a). Approximately 22 percent of vegetable growing under glass was organic in 2021. Likewise, in terms of crop volume, organic vegetable growing was also above average, making up 11 percent of agricultural production. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 30 4.2 Income situation of organic farms The economic situation of organic farms is analysed on the basis of accountancy data from the BMEL test farm network. This analysis provides a not completely representative sample of organic farms in Germany.12 While organic farms almost always realised higher profits than comparable conventional holdings over the past 20 years, the differences by sector were only minor in the 2021/22 eco­ nomic year. The main reason for the diverging development of profits in organic holdings and the conventional farms in the reference group in the 2021/22 economic year is that producer prices for organic products increased by a significantly smaller amount than the prices for conventionally produced goods during 2022. This is particularly true for milk and grain. The conventional holdings in the reference group overcompensated for higher input prices, which resulted in comparably higher profit growth than that of organic holdings. 12 For the analysis of data from the 2021/22 economic year, data from 567 organic-production holdings was used, broken down into the farm types “arable farming” (n = 109), “dairy farming” (n = 230), “other forage production” (n = 134) and “mixed” (n = 94). For the 2021/22 economic year, the test farm network covered accountancy data from a total of 623 organic holdings. Organic holdings with the farm types “processing” (n = 24), “viticulture” (n = 13), “fruit and perennial crops” (n = 12) and “horticulture” (n = 7) were not included in the analysis due to the very low number of farms and the lack of comparability (Kuhnert & Offermann, 2023). Analysis of the economic situation of organic holdings in the 2021/22 economic year. Brunswick: Thünen Institute of Farm Economics (cf.: https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib extern/dn066239.pdf). Figure 6: Profits plus labour costs per worker of organic and comparable farms, broken down by farm type in the 2021/22 economic year Source: Kuhnert & Offermann (2023) https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib extern/dn066239.pdf 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 31 4.3 Development of the organic market The German organic market recorded a revenue volume of 15.31 billion euros in 2022 (Figure 7). The market volume was thus 3.5 percent lower than in the previous year, but still significantly above the 14.99 billion euros in 2020. While the food retail sector (including discount shops and chemists’ shops) was able to further improve (+3.2 percent), significant losses were recorded for health food retailing (­12.3 percent) and other retailers (­18.2 percent), which include farm shops, weekly markets and bakeries. After more than 20 years of continued growth and a strong revenue increase of 22.0 percent in 2020, the first year of the Covid pandemic, the revenue of the organic market therefore decreased slightly for the first time. Figure 7: Revenue and revenue percentages for organically produced foods in Germany according to sales levels excluding away-from-home catering (in billion euros) Source: BÖLW (2023) 1) Including farm shops that buy additional goods with a net worth of at least 50,000 euros (including from wholesale businesses) 2) Including chemists’ shops 3) Bakeries, butcher’s shops, fruit and vegetable traders, weekly markets, farm gate sales, food delivery boxes, mail order sales, petrol stations, health food shops. The revenue figures of other retailers were adjusted in 2019 for the period of 2012­2018 and are in line with the values determined as part of the “Organic Market Value Estimate” under the Federal Scheme for Organic Farming and Other Forms of Sustainable Agriculture (BÖLN). © BÖLW 2023 / Source: organic market task force based on GfK, Nielsen, bioVista, Kommunikationsberatung Klaus Braun. The task force includes: Agricultural Market Information Association (AMI), bioVista, Organic Food Industry Federation (BÖLW), GfK SE, Prof Dr Ulrich Hamm (University of Kassel), Klaus Braun Kommunikationsberatung , Prof Dr Paul Michels (University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan­Triesdorf) and Nielsen. According to a recent study by GfK SE (GfK, 2023), the collapse in revenue of the organic food trade caused by high inflation does not imply that consumers are turning away from organic produce.13 In fact, the deciding factors for low revenues are that customers are shifting to less expensive products within the organic food segment and that prices for conventionally and organically produced goods have converged. The revenues achieved in 2021 make Germany (15.9 billion euros) the world’s second largest organic market, second only to the US (48.6 billion euros), followed by France (12.7 billion euros) and China (11.3 billion euros). Germany thus continues to be the most important organic market in Europe. 13 Cf. BMEL (2023a) 2022 Organic barometer: https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/oeko-barometer-2022.html 2020 2021 2022 Revenue Share Growth Revenue Share Growth Revenue Share Growth in billion euros in % in % in billion euros in % in % in billion euros in % in % Health food retailers1 3.70 24.7 % 16.4 % 3.58 22.6 % -3.3 % 3.14 20.5 % -12.3 % Food retailers2 9.05 60.4 % 22.0 % 9.88 62.3 % 9.1 % 10.20 66.6 % 3.2 % Other3 2.24 14.9 % 35.0 % 2.41 15.2 % 7.4 % 1.97 12.9 % -18.2 % Total 14.99 22.3 % 15.87 5.8 % 15.31 -3.5 % https://www.bmel.de/DE/themen/landwirtschaft/oekologischer-landbau/oeko-barometer-2022.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 32 In 2022, Germany had almost 22,000 companies processing organic food, which indicates a growth of nearly 50 percent since 2016. However, the official statistics also include companies that simply package or prepare organic food. The number of organic food producers is therefore assumed to be well below this figure; however, this number is currently not recorded. Moreover, statements on ongoing processes of concentration in the food industry, which also affect organic producers, can, if at all, only be tracked at regional level and solely based on insider information (BÖLW, 2023). A growing number of people are eating out – over 16 million people eat at preschools, schools, canteens or nursing homes every day (Pfefferle et al., 2021). A survey by npdgroup Deutschland found that the amount spent on food and drink in the entire German away­from­home catering market came to approximately 76 billion euros in 2022 – a plus of more than 33 percent compared with the previous year (BVE, 2023). Among the different segments of the away­from­ home catering market, the operators of catering facilities in companies and vocational training establishments particularly benefitted from an increase in customers to the tune of nearly 50 percent compared with 2021 (BVE, 2023). With this development in mind and taking account of the desire many people have for healthy and sustainable nutrition, there is a great potential for more organic food in away­from­home catering. The Federal Government’s Food and Nutrition Strategy sets out the goal of using communal catering in order to improve access to high­quality healthy and sustainable nutrition including more plant­based, regional, seasonal and organically produced food.14 14 Cf. Key issues paper on the Food and Nutrition Strategy: https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Ernaehrung/ ernaehrungsstrategie-eckpunktepapier.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=4 https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Ernaehrung/ernaehrungsstrategie-kabinett.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=4 https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Ernaehrung/ernaehrungsstrategie-kabinett.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=4 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 33 4.4 Funding framework for organic farming The expansion of organic farming has been a policy objective at European and federal level and in many Laender for many years.15 In pursuit of this goal, several support measures have been developed in recent decades (Nieberg et al., 2011; Lampkin & Sanders, 2022). Area­based aid for organic­production holdings in Germany is provided mainly under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The EAFRD is the second pillar of the EU’s CAP. The first pillar of the CAP is the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), which mostly includes direct payments and sector­specific funding. The EU provides significant funding for the agricultural sector of the member states via these two funds (Kuhnert & Devries, 2023). The total amount of funding earmarked by the federal states in the CAP strategic plan for the 2023­2027 funding period to maintain and support the conversion to organic farming comes to roughly 2.6 billion euros. This funding is provided by the EAFRD, national co­financing and especially the Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection (GAK), as well as additional national financial means. Therefore, the annual amount theoretically available for organic area­based aid comes to 520 million euros from 2023 to 2027. The Laender are in charge of elaborating the specific EAFRD support measures. Therefore, the amount of funding as well as the eligibility conditions and obligations may vary from Land to Land. The Federal Government contributes to the promotion of organic farming by means of the Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection (GAK). The federal government and the Laender laid down the specific amounts of funding in euros for area­based GAK support of organic cultivation methods per type of farming, year and hectare in the GAK framework plan. The Laender in charge of implementing the support have some leeway allowing them to take account of the respective conditions and funding priorities in their support guidelines. 15 According to surveys by Thünen Institute and BMEL: Lower Saxony aims to achieve a share of 10 percent by the end of 2025 and 15 percent by the end of 2030 of all farmed agricultural land. Schleswig-Holstein has the goal of 15 percent by 2030 in its biodiversity strategy. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania aims to have 20 percent organically managed land by 2026 as the medium-term goal. Brandenburg aims for 20 percent by 2024, Hesse for 25 percent by 2025. In its position paper, Thuringia sets out the goal of having a “balanced market-adapted and environmentally friendly increase of organic farming” by 2027. Bavaria and Saarland intend to achieve 30 percent respectively, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland- Palatinate are aiming for 20 percent by 2020; Baden-Württemberg even intends to achieve 30 to 40 percent by 2030. Not all Laender are making their goals equally binding: the 30 percent goal in Saarland, for instance, was enshrined in the government programme of the Social Democrats in Saarland; the 10 and 15 percent targets in Lower Saxony are part of Lower Saxony’s nature conservation law. The funding period that started in 2023 also introduced a new funding instrument called “eco­schemes” within the first pillar of the CAP. Eco­schemes are agri­environmental and climate­related interventions that both conventional and organic holdings can apply for on an annual basis. An EU budget of just below 5 billion euros is earmarked for these measures in Germany’s strategic plan for the 2023­2027 funding period. The obligations under eco­scheme funding overlap in part with those applicable for the area­based aid for organic farming. The Laender provide detailed information on the opportunities to combine these two funding instruments. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 34 16 An overview of agri-environmental measures can be found at: Deutsche Vernetzungsstelle Ländliche Räume (2023) (cf.: https://www.netzwerk-laendlicher-raum.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Seiten/Foerderung/Agrar Umwelt/ Agrarumweltmassnahmen GAP 2023 DVS.pdf). As before, this is complemented by the agri­environment­climate measures offered by the Laender under the EAFRD, which may be combined with the eco­schemes and the area­based payments for organic farming under certain conditions. Thus, agricultural holdings have a very complex set of environmental and nature­conserving measures on hand within the CAP frame­ work, which may vary from Land to Land. The regionally available and farm­specific options for combining different measures and the amount of support that can thus be achieved will ultimately determine to what extent rewards for services to the environment and for nature conservation are feasible for the individual organic farm. They also determine what the relative economic benefit is, compared with various conventional forms of management combined with various eco­schemes and agri­environmental measures. https://www.netzwerk-laendlicher-raum.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Seiten/Foerderung/Agrar Umwelt/Agrarumweltmassnahmen GAP 2023 DVS.pdf https://www.netzwerk-laendlicher-raum.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Seiten/Foerderung/Agrar Umwelt/Agrarumweltmassnahmen GAP 2023 DVS.pdf 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 35 It should be noted, also with a view to the EU area target, that the planned expenditure by the member states for area­based aid of organic farming from 2023 to 2027 is 50 percent higher com­ pared with 2020. Despite this, support funds are provided for a mere 10 percent of organically managed agricultural land in the EU (Figure 8). This will not be sufficient to fund the EU target of expanding organic production to 25 percent of agricultural land (Lampkin, 2023). Moreover, not all member states support and financially contribute to these objectives in their entirety.17 In addition, the Laender organic model regions (organic pilot regions) are part of the Laender support schemes that aim to strengthen organic production and the organic food sector. These regions are essentially funded cooperation projects that combine organic production with regional production and involve stakeholders along the entire value chain, from cultivation and processing to marketing and mass catering. The first organic model regions in Germany were created in Bavaria in 2014; there are now 35 such cooperation projects in Bavaria. In 2015, the first organic model regions were set up in Hesse; in 2020, the entire Land of Hesse became an organic model region, consisting of 13 individual regions. Baden­Württemberg began setting up organic model regions in 2018 and is now home to 14 of them. Two years later, Lower Saxony followed suit, and now has eight organic model regions, and in 2021, North Rhine­Westphalia and Saxony also joined, currently with five model regions and three organic model regions respectively.18 There are now a total of 78 such partnerships for the organic agri­food sector in Germany (as of spring 2023). These are examples of how regional value chains involving various stakeholders can be scaled up at local level. 17 The percentage of organic farming land varied greatly in the different member states in 2021. For instance, Austria already has 25.5 percent, Estonia 23 percent and Sweden 20.2 percent of land under organic management; the share of organically farmed land in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Finland, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain and Greece amounted to 10 percent or more. The four larger countries of France, Spain, Italy and Germany together accounted for more than half of the total land under organic management in Europe (Willer et al., 2023). 18 Thünen Institut: survey conducted by the institute 2023. Figure 8: National organic area targets of the EU member states and year of the planned achievement, broken down into land categories. Source: Lampkin (2023) 5 Action areas and measures 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 37 Six action areas containing a total of 30 measures highlight ways to cooperate with the Laender, academia, industry, advisory services, practitioners and not least civil society to remove obstacles that currently prevent growth in organic production, and that consequently prevent progress along an important transformation path for the entire food and agricultural industry. These action areas provide new, important impetus for the sustainable development of the organic food and agricultural industry by examining the entire value chain, from input markets, produc­ tion, processing and trade all the way to diet, supplemented by research, knowledge transfer, data availability, infrastructure and a coherent legal and funding framework. 5.1 Action Area 1: Input markets Objective: to align the input markets to the growth goal for organic farming The input markets for agriculture19 and the value chain have to date not been sufficiently aligned towards organic production. There is also significant potential for strengthening the organic value chain in this area. To achieve this aim, the “input markets” action area has three measures to provide support for the areas of: plant breeding and animal breeding, input markets, and digital instruments. 19 German agriculture purchased inputs worth 49 billion euros in 2021. Feed accounted for the largest share (10.7 billion euros). Other important items included agricultural machinery (7.6 billion euros), fertiliser and plant protection agents (4.6 billion euros), agricultural services (3.2 billion euros), seed and planting material (2.4 billion euros) and veterinary medicine (1 billion euros) (DBV, 2023). 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 38 Measure 1 Supporting plant and animal breeding for organic farming Description We need to support plant and animal breeding in providing climate­adapted, site­adapted, ro­ bust and high­yielding varieties and lines. In collaboration with the stakeholders from research, industry, administration and advisory services, we will draw up specific proposals on the breed­ ing activities and research, including the entire testing system, that are needed to develop reliable breeding structures in accordance with the standards of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) (Norm 4.8)20, with due consideration given to market require­ ments and to the methodologies permissible as per Regulation (EU) 2018/848. An exchange format will be established for this purpose and also in order to examine what support possibilities there are for the BMEL and, if applicable, the Laender. The aim is to apply and develop innovative and flexible possibilities which go beyond stand alone breeding schemes. This particularly includes monitoring genetic diversity, investigating the influence of the production environment on individual plants and animals, also at epigenetic level, protecting the transparency of breeding methods in organic farming and, with regard to animal breeding, developing commercial cross­ breeds from existing breeding lines that are suitable for organic farming. In the plant sector, the aim is to provide suitable varieties, adapted to future conditions and sufficiently developed and tested under organic conditions, for all crops. To this end, variety testing (within the meaning of an Organic VCU test) also needs to be carried out under organic farming conditions. Scientific findings will be continually taken into account and the measures will build on past, ongoing and future BMEL calls for research proposals. Objective The objective of the measure is to support the breeding sector and all relevant stakeholders in developing genotypes adapted to organic farming, with due consideration to the future climatic conditions, to test these genotypes under organic conditions and to make them available to prac­ titioners. We will therefore in future focus more strongly on plant and animal breeding, as well as on the entire testing system for organic farming, including horticulture, wine­growing and other crops, for this is the basis of a high­performance and competitive organic agricultural sector and is closely linked to the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in accordance with the aims of agrobiodiversity (cf. measure 9). 20 IFOAM Norms available at: https://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/2020-09/IFOAM%20Norms%20July%202014%20Edits%202019.pdf https://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/2020-09/IFOAM%20Norms%20July%202014%20Edits%202019.pdf 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 39 Measure 2 Continuing to develop the input markets for organic farming and the organic value chain Description In order to continue developing the input markets for organic farming and the organic value chain, we will collaborate with stakeholders from research, industry, advisory services and admin­ istration to identify existing deficits and inhibiting factors which prevent inputs being available in sufficient quantities as per the stipulations of Regulation (EU) 2018/848. We will establish a regular exchange format to discuss the following questions: → What inputs require more research and development (e.g. methods to close regional nutrient cycles, methods to exploit previously neglected nutrient sources)? → What inputs are not available in sufficient quantities? → How can availability be improved? → What specific measures can the Federal Government take to provide support in this regard? New scientific knowledge is also continually taken into account and linked to the BMEL’s past and ongoing calls for project proposals. Objective The objective of the measure is to support stakeholders on input markets so that they can provide sufficient, high­quality inputs for organic farming and organic food processing that meet the specifications of Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Sustainability aspects and already existing approaches for a circular economy will be taken into account. Reasoning The market for breeding animals and for varieties, seeds and seedlings that are specifically dev­ eloped and tested for organic farming continues to be a niche market. The incentive for private sector breeding operators to invest in this sector has thus far been rather low. To better reap the yield potential of the sector, however, it is vital that there is a sufficient availability of high­yield­ ing crops and high­performance animals that have been developed and tested under organic farming conditions (e.g. different nutrient availabilities due to the lack of certain mineral fertil­ isers, no use of chemical­synthetic plant protection products, mixed cultures rather than mono­ cultures, no feed additives, dual­purpose breeds). From 2037 onwards, Regulation (EU) 2018/848 will exacerbate this issue, as the derogations for the use of organic plant reproductive material and organic­production animals will, according to current provisions, be discontinued. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 40 21 Cf.: https://www.nutrinet.agrarpraxisforschung.de/naehrstoffmanagement/p-versorgung-verbessern/recyclate-aus- der-klaeranlage Reasoning The organic agri­food industry deliberately operates without many auxiliary substances that are permitted in conventional agriculture (e.g. chemical­synthetic plant protection products, various fertilisers, additives, hygiene and care products, processing aids). Nonetheless, organic produc­ tion and processing also relies on auxiliary material to secure or even increase yields, quality and outcomes. Against this backdrop, innovative and sustainable alternative solutions have been developed in the past, which are also being used today in conventional agriculture. This becomes particularly evident in the area of plant protection products and plant strengtheners. The EU is striving to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products across the Union, which is why a growing number of producers of plant protection products are turning towards developing practical alternatives. The aim is also to develop more sustainable and resource­conserving fertilisers. Phosphorus is a case in point in the area of fertilisers. In order to stop the consumption of this finite resource in future, but at the same time use the phosphorus already in the system, efforts have been made in recent years, including in projects under the Federal Organic Farming Scheme carried out in cooperation with the water management sector, to develop new technologies to provide a suffi­ cient supply of the essential nutrient of phosphorus by recycling wastewater and thus to provide a product approved under organic regulations.21 To expand the organic agri­food sector, it is therefore vital to develop input products that comply with the provisions laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Strengthening the organic input market also largely benefits the development of conventional farming [e.g. by develop­ ing non­chemical plant strengtheners and plant protection products or fertilisers (e.g. recycled phosphorus)]. Due to the current relatively small market segment, it is often not yet economically viable to develop inputs for the organic agri­food industry, as the process tends to be quite costly. What we need is to provide conditions and conduct research that support these aims in order to meet the future need by providing inputs of sufficient quality in sufficient quantities. Measure 3 Developing digital instruments for better data and input management Description Business management, controls and markets both require and generate ever more data. Innova­ tive digitisation approaches can improve the collection, evaluation and targeted use of data in practice, for example for field records and herd management, and also for the assessment and optimisation of sustainability in production processes (for example regarding energy efficiency, water consumption, biodiversity, humus formation and the use of plant protection agents and fertilisers). The specific requirements, legislation and regulations for organic farming require adapted instruments for efficient data and information management and to support decision­ making processes. These measures will also examine how existing systems can be integrated and expanded. https://www.nutrinet.agrarpraxisforschung.de/naehrstoffmanagement/p-versorgung-verbessern/recyclate-aus-der-klaeranlage https://www.nutrinet.agrarpraxisforschung.de/naehrstoffmanagement/p-versorgung-verbessern/recyclate-aus-der-klaeranlage 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 41 It is also important to ensure that existing and future systems are interoperable, specifically in respect of the data collected under the Integrated Administration and Control System (InVeKoS). The potential of drone­based and satellite­based technologies will be demonstrated and utilised. A prerequisite for this is, however, that farms control the automatic feeding­in of data into farm management information systems and other platforms, and the forwarding of data, and that these processes are data­protected. Objective The objective of the measure is to promote the development of specific digital instruments, databases and information systems to support stakeholders in the organic food and agricultural sector in documentation and decision­making processes. This applies, for example, to the areas of plant protection, nutrient management, feed planning, pasture management, animal manage­ ment, markets and control systems (comprehensibility) and in respect of climate balances and sustainability assessments. The potential of drone­based and satellite­based technologies will be identified and taken into account. The specific requirements of organic farming will be investi­ gated, especially in order to create synergies regarding the reduction of administrative costs. Reasoning The use of digitalisation offers opportunities for collecting, processing and using data in a more targeted manner for making operating decisions, acquisitions, sales, controls, training and advisory services. To date, there are only very few digital advisory services and data management systems adapted to organic farming that take account of the specific procedures, legal provisions, guidelines and markets. Properly programmed databases and information systems can support stakeholders in various ways, for instance in the areas of plant protection, fertiliser management, feed planning, pasture management, animal management, climate balances, sustainability assessments, markets, control systems and monitoring activities. This also applies to the data collected under the IACS, which is used for the organic inspections of farms. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 42 5.2 Action Area 2: Production Objective: to exploit organic farming’s performance potential The most important function of arable farming, horticulture, fruit cultivation, wine­growing, hop growing, aquaculture, beekeeping and animal husbandry is to create high quality foods while at the same time providing as extensive environmental services as possible. Organic farming works within a circular economy and attempts to sustainably achieve adequate yields based on the farm’s capacity and the potential of the local natural conditions, while providing maximum environmental services. The “production” action area has seven measures to provide the neces­ sary support for arable farming, fruit growing, vegetable growing, wine growing, hop growing, grassland farming, animal husbandry and whole­farm system developments. Measure 4 Exploiting organic farming’s yield potential Description This measure will evaluate past research findings, in particular on site­adapted crop rotation systems, yield potential, nutrient management and soil fertility, and prepare these findings for targeted application in scientific and agricultural practice in order to exploit organic farming’s yield potential and stabilise the yields under changing climatic conditions. This evaluation will be used to work with stakeholders from research, industry, advisory services and administration to determine further research requirements for continued system developments. Basic training, advanced training and knowledge transfer will also be further optimised with the assistance of technical consultations. Some of the necessary steps are closely linked to measures 1 to 3 and to action area 5 on “Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure”, which will necessitate an integrated approach. Objective The objective of the measure is to continue to develop organic production systems and manage­ ment concepts, in order to increase the yields in organic plant production while retaining and/or increasing the services to the environment and the services of general interest. The aim is for these developments to be able to be integrated with and transferred to other forms of sustainable production. Reasoning As organic farming operates without using chemical­synthetic fertilisers and plant protection products, it depends much more on local factors and natural conditions than conventional production systems (Wachendorf et al., 2022). Long­term crop rotation systems that are also stable under changing climatic conditions are therefore of particular importance and lay the foundation for good yield performance. This is why it is essential that the research findings produced so far, especially regarding site­adapted crop rotation systems and their continuous advancement and optimisation, are made available for use. In addition, there are substantial differences in yields and other economic performance figures not only between conventional 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 43 and organically managed holdings but also between holdings within the organic sector (Kuhnert & Offermann, 2023); there should thus be a stronger focus on on­farm management. The poten­ tial of organic agriculture to create refuges of diverse species should also be considered and expanded in arable farming; likewise, attention should be paid to climate stewardship and climate adaptation, and models for humus formation and minimum tillage should be further developed. Measure 5 Strengthening legumes as a basis of organic cultivation systems Description This measure gives due regard to the special role of legumes for both organic and conventional cultivation systems by supporting the transfer of knowledge on the relative importance of the different species and types of cultivation for the long­term sustainability and productivity of these systems. With regard to research, it will remove uncertainties and close significant gaps in knowledge, particularly regarding nitrogen balance, the self­incompatibility of legumes, the interplay between the species and cultivation safety. Support through collaborative activities in­ volving practice, industry, advisory services and research will continue to develop legume­based crop rotation systems and promote the use and processing of legumes. Close dovetailing with the Protein Crop Strategy is indispensable in this regard. Objective The objective of the measure is, by expanding legume cultivation – the basis of all organic culti­ vation systems, with significant prospects for the conventional sector – to have a positive impact on environmental services such as soil conservation and species protection and, over and beyond the cultivation itself, to bolster the processing and use of the different species according to the respective purpose. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 44 Reasoning The cultivation of legumes is a prerequisite for making organic cropping systems sustainable and productive in the long term, particularly as the basis for N nutrient supply and for maintaining soil fertility. Furthermore, legumes make a vital contribution to preserving biodiversity and are a key building block for organic animal husbandry and nutrition. Hence, the expansion of legume cultivation is also crucial for the transformation of the agri­food sector. The various varieties of legumes and methods of cultivation used differ greatly regarding their potential uses and their impact on soils and cultivation systems (Wachendorf et al., 2022). Summer grain legumes, for example, are valuable cash crops rich in protein. However, they store next to no nitrogen in soils and have therefore very little positive effect on soil properties. Small­seeded legumes used in the cultivation of perennial feed crops, on the other hand, can assimilate large quantities of nitrogen and have a substantial positive effect on humus content and soil structure. Individual legume cropping concepts must be made available for the different types of existing organic holdings, and those holdings planning to convert, in order to ensure sustainable and productive organic plant production in the long run. The current state of knowledge is somewhat fragmented and patchy or even contradictory, especially with regard to the nitrogen cycle of legumes and the self­incompatibility of individ­ ual varieties or the incompatibility of different varieties. It is necessary to precisely identify the specific needs for research and research funding. The conditions for legume­based cropping systems are diverse and are subject to constant changes, especially due to climate change and market requirements. The necessary and contin­ uous advancement of such systems must, in addition to ensuring that they function in the short term, also consider the conservation of soil fertility and long­term productivity. Targeted coop­ eration between practitioners, advisers and researchers is very useful in this area. As the effects of different cropping systems can only be observed over a long period of time, they must at this stage be estimated, based on the current state of knowledge. This basis could be significantly improved by funding long­term trials and interdisciplinary as well as transdisciplinary long­term field studies. Moreover, legumes can make a substantial contribution to plant­based nutrition. However, this not only requires the expansion of cultivation, but also the drafting and implementing of utilis­ ation concepts, including the necessary processing steps and value chains. A broad knowledge transfer can ensure that the entire agricultural sector can benefit from this innovative potential in order to achieve greater independence from nitrogen fertilisers and feed imports. 45 Measure 6 Raising awareness of the potential of organic grassland farming Description To raise awareness of the economic and ecological potential of organic grassland farming in agricultural practice, and hence to facilitate use of this farming practice, the BMEL will hold consultations with the Laender on existing advisory and support schemes and on developing and focusing them on organic grassland farming (GAK support area 2B). This must be dovetailed with measure 7 on “Strengthening organic livestock husbandry and feeding” and with the commercially viable models for using male animals from milk and egg production that measure 7 addresses. A particular focus is therefore on pastoral farming, in particular on dairy cows in organic farming. Advisory services on pasture management, including sustainable approaches to controlling pasture parasites, will be strengthened for this purpose. Ideally, this will create syn­ ergies with nature conservation and promote biodiversity. Findings will be made accessible and disseminated in the agricultural sector as widely as possible. Objective The objective of the measure is to raise awareness about the advantages of organic pastoral farming and to create incentives for conventional grassland farms to convert to organic grass­ land farming. Organic farms will also be supported in managing grassland according to their performance potential. In addition to the production of high­quality pasture­fed meat – an ethically sound means of using male animals in organic milk production – other factors include an increase in biodiversity and carbon sequestration (storage of CO2). Reasoning Extensively managed meadows and pastures, in particular, are some of the most species­rich habitats in Germany. Permanent and temporary grassland is of major importance in organic farming. The land­area link in animal husbandry and access to free­range areas, preferably pasture, is legally prescribed, which is why organic farming is ideally suited for grassland farming and hence for protecting biodiversity within this habitat. Pasture farming is much more common in organic dairy farming than in the conventional sector; at the same time, there is still room for improvement in organic dairy farming as well. Many conventionally managed farms are not aware of the advantages organic agriculture has to offer, particularly when it comes to extensive grassland farming. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding additional requirements and controls, reduced crop yields and higher requirements pertaining to pasture and animal manage­ ment. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 46 Although some 19 percent of the permanent pasture area in Germany – which is quite unevenly distributed at regional level – is under organic management, this area often falls short of its yield potential. Specific knowledge is necessary in order to feed dairy cattle from pasture land in line with the needs; area management, grazing periods and feeding concepts must be geared to the needs of the animals and the local conditions (Wachendorf et al., 2022). Support with regard to grazing management is needed in order to counter yield losses when converting to organic grass­ land farming and to provide farms with the knowledge needed to fulfil the grazing requirement. The objectives related to biodiversity conservation must also be taken into account. Synergies between extensive grassland farming as part of landscape upkeep and regional market­ ing of organic pasture­fed meat can also be scaled up. After all, the need exists: Germany’s degree of self­sufficiency in sheepmeat is approximately 50 percent. Even though the degree of self­suf­ ficiency in beef (conventional and organic) is higher (98 percent), there is a consistently high demand for high­quality regional organic beef. As the demand for organically produced milk is steady, grassland also continues to be attractive for organic dairy farms. Measure 7 Strengthening organic livestock husbandry and feed Description In order to strengthen organic livestock husbandry and feed, the BMEL will collaborate with stakeholders from research, industry, advisory services and administration in the ongoing development of feed concepts and advisory material for 100 percent organic feeding. Joint concepts will also be drawn up on commercially viable breeding and utilisation models for male animals in organic milk and egg production. Funding will be provided for regional and mobile slaughter structures permitted under Regulation (EU) 2018/848, for investments, in particular animal welfare­oriented housing, and for the additional ongoing expenses resulting from the need to comply with more stringent animal welfare requirements. This measure will continually take new scientific evidence into account and build on the BMEL’s past and ongoing calls for project proposals. It is necessary to dovetail this measure with meas­ ure 1 on “supporting plant and animal breeding for organic farming” in order to provide suitable fodder crops for the need­based feed and animal lines. The findings and (improved) practices from this measure will, in order to increase animal welfare across the board, also be made avail­ able to conventional farms. Objective The objective of the measure is to support farms in meeting the organic feed requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and to slaughter the animals humanely and as far as possible without being transported over long distances. The measure will also increase the economic value of male animals in organic milk and egg production and provide financial support for the conversion of livestock husbandry. 47 Reasoning Regulation (EU) 2018/848 stipulates that organic livestock husbandry shall use 100 percent of organic and a high share of regional feed as well as robust and site­adequate breeds with access to pasture or free­range areas depending on the area. The maximum use of feed resources available on the farm or from regional sources improves the sustainability of animal husbandry. Feeding tailored to the needs of the animals and appropriate to the species is also a vital cornerstone of good animal health, animal welfare and excellent animal performance (Wachendorf et al., 2022). However, feeding 100 percent organic feed remains a challenge for many holdings. The feed components available on the farms are often limited in their diversity, and the cost of feed – par­ ticularly for purchasing feed – is a major economic factor. The challenge remains that male juvenile animals in dairy and egg production cannot be utilised in an economically viable manner, as their fattening performance is lower and they can only be reared with a high use of resources, sometimes not even covering the costs when marketed. Organic meat production must be fundamentally transformed in order to fulfil the ambition that all animals from organic reproduction should also be reared organically and on the farm (or within the framework of business co­operations). This transformation starts with breeding of dual­purpose breeds that are particularly suitable for the specific needs of organic livestock farming (measure 1 “supporting plant and animal breeding for organic farming”). On­farm slaughtering of animals is becoming increasingly important in the eyes of policymakers and society. This procedure is considered to be particularly animal welfare­oriented as the animals are not subjected to stressful transport, especially in case of long­distance journeys. Since slaughtering tends to be organised in a centralised manner, it is becoming ever more difficult to arrange on­farm or regional slaughtering and to have smaller numbers of batches/animals slaughtered, as is often the case in organic livestock farming. The 2021 amendment to Regulation (EC) No 853/200422 gave not only butchers but also agricultural holdings, which had thus far not been approved to do so, the option to slaughter the animals at the holding of origin. Under the programme for innovation promotion, the BMEL supports projects to “promote innovation for mobile slaughtering including ‘pasture slaughtering’ at the holding of origin” in order to create economic incentives for agricultural holdings and regional slaughterhouses for both partially and fully mobile slaughtering. 22 Annex III, Section I, Chapter VIa of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin. Official Journal of the European Union L 139 of 30 April 2004. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 48 Measure 8 Promoting the development, reinforcement and transparency of animal welfare in organic farming Description To further promote animal protection and animal welfare in organic farming, the BMEL will collaborate with stakeholders from research, advisory services, control systems, practitioners and administration to develop concepts for organic control bodies to record and evaluate corre­ sponding measures. The measure will establish in practice an evidence­based anima welfare inspection regime based on action­orientated requirements (husbandry and management) and on additional result­orientated aspects (integration of animal­related indicators) (March et al. 2019). Inspection protocols, evaluation frameworks and training concepts for auditors will also be developed and implemented in practice. Existing digital instruments and advisory materials will also be considered and expanded. Due consideration will be given to ensuring that animal welfare inspection systems are practicable and able to be applied by all stakeholders at as little expense as possible. The transfer of knowledge related to animal protection and animal welfare will also be intens­ ified by providing practicable training and support opportunities for organic farms, for farms interested in converting to organic farming, and for advisory services. The BMEL will work with the Laender to draw up options for basic and advanced training and for individual and group counselling. Support will be provided to implement preventive management concepts based on data recorded during controls. Objective The objective of the measure is to develop efficient, evidence­based and practicable concepts for organic inspection bodies to monitor animal protection and animal welfare, and to intensify knowledge transfer to promote quality and transparency in organic livestock husbandry. Another key aspect is supporting farmers in the conversion of animal husbandry towards more animal welfare­oriented and environmentally friendly husbandry types. To this end, the BMEL will establish a federal programme and provide up­front funding to the tune of 1 billion euros. This federal programme will allow for coordinating different funding elements and developing a harmonised support scheme across the Laender. Investment aid will be based on the actual overall cost of construction. The basis for calculating the ongoing funding is the additional cost incurred for animal welfare oriented husbandry; independent experts are in charge of the calculations for three different types of husbandry: indoor with fresh air, outdoor runs/free range and organic. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 49 Reasoning A central objective for both organic and conventional farming is to have maximum animal welfare; consumers of organic produce take a high level of animal welfare for granted. The most important factor for sustainably and reliably achieving the expected level of animal welfare is preventive on­farm management (Fraser, 2008). The mindset, knowledge and skills especially of animal keepers, but also of veterinarians and advisers, play a vital role here. Provisions and inspections geared solely to husbandry and management do not suffice to detect on­farm deficits and derive targeted measures. Results­based and solution­oriented elements must also be intro­ duced in order to take better account of animal health­related issues of animal welfare in future. This is the only way to check and hence ensure that animals in organic farming are actually kept in compliance with animal welfare standards, i.e. that they are healthy, are being properly fed, can fulfil their behavioural needs and are at ease. Opportunities for transferring and exchanging knowledge for the basic and advanced training of farmers, as well as for comprehensive professional counselling, particularly relating to the specific conditions of organic livestock farming, can help improve practical knowledge and meaningful cooperation between different stakeholders. This can also contribute to strengthening the role of organic farming in general and organic livestock husbandry in particular within the agricultural sector, but also among citizens. Measure 9 Continuing to develop region-specific and site-specific conversion concepts Description To increase the number of organic farms, the BMEL will firstly discuss with the Laender how to develop region­specific analyses of the potential for farms to convert to organic livestock hus­ bandry and organic arable, fruit, vegetable, wine and hop growing based on site and production conditions and the establishment of relevant value chains, and how already existing analyses of potential can be further developed and linked to the Laender organic action plans. Secondly, current operating data on organic plant production and livestock husbandry will be collected and prepared to be used for counselling (on conversion), for example for inter­farm compari­ sons. Both the region­specific analyses of potential and the farm data and information will be made easily accessible to farmers interested in converting and to advisory services, with existing structures being used and expanded. There will be a particular focus on promoting the potential of organic farming in protected areas through advisory services and regional marketing models in order to expand synergies between nature conservation measures and organic farming in the regions. The measure will at the same time ensure that business secrets are protected and that competitive structures are maintained, both within the organic market and between organic and conventional products. Objective The objective of the measure is to show conventional farms the economic potential of converting to organic farming and in this way to make the decision to convert easier. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 50 Reasoning Conventionally managed holdings will only be able to make long­term decisions on securing their livelihoods if they are provided with realistic estimates of the production and market potential their own farms will have within the organic value chain. This requires up­to­date information on the potential and requirements regarding the respective region, site and production type, key economic figures and an existing or planned value chain­related infrastructure (Thimm, 2022). Analyses of regional potential are hence the foundation for targeted conversion advice for farms. This advice could additionally be flanked by field schools and the expansion of experience­ sharing and joint learning among operators of organic and conventional farms. Measure 10 Promoting biological and genetic diversity in agricultural landscapes, crops and livestock Description In order to promote genetic diversity in agriculture, the measure will use status analyses to describe the genetic diversity (agrobiodiversity) that is used in arable farming, including the relevance and the extent of the cultivation of specialty crops and traditional crop varieties and, in livestock farming, including the husbandry of domestic livestock breeds. The measure will also systematically test existing genetic material, including local varieties and traditional cultivars, under organic conditions in order to identify potential for organic cultivation. In order to allow for these organic products to also be marketed, production systems and regional value chains will be further developed in collaboration with stakeholders from research, industry, advisory services and administration. Financial support options, consistent with existing support instru­ ments, will be developed in order to be able to implement the above measures. Advisory services aimed at nature protection, the support of biodiversity and the strengthening of pastoral farming will be expanded for farms so that the potential of organic farming can also be used to support biodiversity in the parts of the agricultural landscape that are not used for agriculture. Models will continue to be developed to conserve rare species in the fields (e.g. in weed management) . Expanding agroforestry systems with a large variety of crops also contributes to agrobiodiversity, promotes climate change mitigation and helps agriculture adapt to altered climatic conditions. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 51 Objective The objective of the measure is to produce synergies between safeguarding agrobiodiversity, promoting biological diversity in the agricultural landscape and strengthening the food and agricultural industry. Reasoning The conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, which also include traditionally grown crop varieties and endangered farm animal breeds, are also subject to protection under various international treaties, in particular the international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1993) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In many cases, the cultivation or husbandry and processing of rare genetic resources are linked to traditional knowledge and a high degree of commitment, which also has to be reflected in the value of such special products. Ultimately, these genetic resources serve the conservation and improvement of agricultural biodiversity. At the same time, genetic resources have a special potential for establishing and expanding regional value chains. Useful synergies can be achieved between the national strategy for conserving and promoting diverse genetic resources for ag­ riculture, forestry, fisheries and nutrition and the national work programmes in the respective sectors. As organic agriculture operates without using chemical­synthetic plant protection products, it has many advantages with regard to biodiversity, which is why it should particularly be promot­ ed in areas under protection. Nevertheless, trade­offs relating to biodiversity also exist in the organic farming sector. For instance, mechanical weed control also affects species that should be protected. In order to resolve these conflicting objectives and to strengthen organic farming with regard to biodiversity, the aspect of biodiversity should always be considered as an overarching principle regarding funding and agronomic measures. Agroforestry systems can be a smart addition to agricultural utilisation systems, as they, de­ pending on local conditions, make systems more resilient to changing climatic conditions and contribute to climate stewardship, soil protection and species conservation. 5.3 Action Area 3: Processing and trade Objective: to strengthen organic food processing and trade The planned expansion of total land under organic farming will only be a success if the addition­ al organic raw materials that are produced, and if possible processed regionally, can add value in Germany when sold via direct marketing, trade or away­from­home catering. Organic farming’s diversity and products, and the quality of these products, require downstream structures that can deal with this large variety, both technically and conceptionally. Artisanal food producers are particularly suited, but medium­sized processors, in which production is not completely auto­ mated, also meet the above requirements. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 52 The food industry has been undergoing a significant structural change for many years. The number of corresponding processing establishments (e.g. in the grain, meat and dairy process­ ing sectors) has decreased, in some cases drastically, in many regions over recent decades. At the same time, the positive development of some processing companies and their environments shows that the combination of organic production and artisanal and/or medium­sized structures can provide sustainable impetus for (re­)vitalisation, especially of rural areas. The “processing and trade” action area contains four measures that aim to help sustainably strengthen the organic value chain, both in specific regions and across Germany as a whole, and thus enable forward­looking business partnerships to be established or expanded. Measure 11 Promoting value chains through management and networking Description In order to further develop organic value chains through management and fair partnerships, the BMEL will work with a range of experts that are still to be nominated (e.g. competent coordinators at Laender level, and representatives from science, administration, industry and associations) to define the remit of the “value chain manager”23. Further training opportunities, supervision and coaching for this target group will be developed and conducted, and networking structures (communication and knowledge platforms) created. The aim will be to dovetail this measure with measure 24 on “structurally integrating and improving methodology of knowledge transfer and research communication”. Objective The objective of the measure is to pool findings about establishing and expanding processing and marketing chains of and for organically produced products and to empower those working in value chain management by conveying knowledge for successful work practices. 23 The term “value chain manager” also encompasses the currently common job profiles such as “value chain developer” etc., regional advisers and cooperation managers. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY Reasoning Developing and establishing processing and marketing chains of and for organic products are key elements for expanding the organic food and agricultural sector. These require experience, technical and methodological knowledge, and an inter­organisational understanding of processes in order to create a reliable and trusting working level for all those involved in the value chain and the necessary security for investments. Value chain managers provide valuable work in this regard. As the job profile is relatively new and has not yet been bindingly regulated, it remains unclear what skills these actors must have, what mandates they should be given and what techni­ cal training and methodological skills should be looked for in job selection procedures. Advanced training for value chain managers promotes exchange on specific substantive and methodolog­ ical issues and consequently accelerates and facilitates the expansion of value chains. A centrally accessible knowledge platform also enables information and knowledge to be maintained, shared and used by all relevant persons for the long term. Networking among the different value chain managers can also be boosted in this way. Measure 12 Continuing to develop fair partnerships Description Existing, exemplary cooperation agreements and contracts between value chain partners, both national and international, will be evaluated, pooled, anonymised and then published in order to learn from good examples in practice. This should also cover relevant experiences from German development cooperation in promoting agro­ecology and relevant agricultural value chains. It is planned to dovetail this measure with measure 11 on “promoting value chains through manage­ ment and networking”. Objective The aim of the measure is to communicate important conditions for fair partnerships within value chains. It is intended to contribute towards initiating contracts and to promoting long­ term and reliable contractual relations between the value chain partners. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 54 Measure 13 Tailoring support schemes to small and medium-sized enterprises along the organic value chain Description The BMEL will firstly discuss with industry how the Federal Government’s support database can be adapted to improve its usability for small and medium­sized enterprises in order to better show the support options that exist for these enterprises all along the organic value chain. Sec­ ondly, a guide will be developed for companies along the organic value chain and for advisers to these companies; in addition to providing information on organic production, this guide will also provide targeted information on the steps to take in respect of important support schemes along the organic value chain. To ensure that the support options reach the targeted practitioners, regular in­depth information on existing support options for small and medium­sized enterprises along the organic value chain will be provided to the economic support institutions in the Laender, regions and municipalities, as well as to advisers to industry, practitioners, the trade guilds and organic value chain management, thus supporting them in their work. To this end, it will be evaluated whether contacts can be established and supported as a priority to train advisers and act as intermediaries and a first point of contact. Objective The measure targets small and medium­sized enterprises (SMEs) that carry out processing and marketing operations along the organic value chain (or plan to do so) and aims to reduce obsta­ cles regarding the use of support schemes by the Federation, the Laender and the EU, and consequently to facilitate the uptake of this support. Reasoning Industry players have thus far not made full use of the existing support schemes available to SMEs in the processing and marketing sector for organically produced food. One reason is that there is no overview of existing support options tailored to the respective target groups. This gap could be filled by further developing the existing support database. Likewise, a collection of approaches and opportunities for making use of support programmes adapted to the needs of stakeholders along the value chain can provide a first impetus and reduce barriers. This will increase awareness of, and use of, the existing support programmes and the support database. The overview is embedded in a general guide for processing and marketing organic products, which provides businesses with a useful tool on their path towards more organic production. Reasoning Several value chains in the organic farming and food industry are typically characterised by long­ term binding contracts and cooperation based on partnerships. They form the foundation for economic investment and development of the companies involved. International supply chains and product lines are also crucial, especially with regard to marketing structures and traders needed to maintain and expand market shares in trade and processing. Economic operators could learn from these positive examples that already exist, which would promote the establish­ ment and expansion of future­proof value chains and businesses. Some exemplary stakeholders have already agreed to lend their support for this measure. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 55 Another reason for the fact that funding has not yet been utilised by organic holdings is that the economic support institutions in the regions and municipalities as well as the advisers from trade guilds, industry and practice or value chain managers have not yet been sufficiently sensitised to the interests of such stakeholder groups. Promoting networking and sharing information is key here. The project on monitoring of organic support policies by the Thünen Institute24 can provide a sound foundation for putting together a well­founded and concise overview of programmes relevant to the organic food industry and communicate this information to the advisers. The project already analyses the financial support of different regions and the efficacy of the support instruments for organic farming and the entire value chain and processes the results. The project places a strong emphasis on the organic food industry programmes and evaluates how the Thü­ nen Institute for Farm Economics could be integrated to a greater extent. Data from the Federal Governmentʼs support database and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actionʼs support hotline can also provide a foundation here. Furthermore, refining the support database can help identify potential support gaps, which would then need to be evaluated in a second step. 24 Further information is available at: https://www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/farm-economics/projects/monitoring-of-organic-support-policies Measure 14 Supporting the creation and expansion of regional and organic processing and marketing capacities Description In order to create and expand regional, organic processing and marketing capacities, support schemes will cover costs that small and medium­sized enterprises incur in connection with: → initial advice on creating and successfully marketing an organic production line; → advice on product development (organic manufacturers); and → on the conversion of their enterprises to organic production. https://www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/farm-economics/projects/monitoring-of-organic-support-policies 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 56 A best practice network for organic enterprises will be developed, in which companies act as points of contact for technical advice and discussions. A virtual map of stakeholders will be drawn up and maintained with the support of industry. These enterprise­to­enterprise discus­ sions will be used to facilitate the entry of food start­ups into the organic sector; the start­ups will also be assisted by networking, both with other start­ups and with experienced organic entrepreneurs. Objective The objective of the measure is to support and promote small and medium­sized enterprises that are interested in processing and marketing regionally and organically along the value chain. Reasoning Local logistics, processing and marketing capacities are vital for establishing regional organic value chains. However, these structures are not available in many regions, which is a substantial obstacle for expanding organic farming. Additionally, small and medium­sized enterprises might be daunted by the requirement of organic certification and the necessary funding this entails prior to entering the organic processing industry. These reservations and uncertainties can be compensated for by offering support for initial counselling and initial costs within the frame­ work of the conversion to organic farming. Likewise, the processing of organic raw materials and the development of organic product innovations require specific expert knowledge and sound insights into the market. This specific knowledge is best taught and conveyed by those who already operate successfully within the organic market. Interested practitioners can use the best practice network of organic processing and artisanal enterprises to exchange experiences and learn from one another. This helps improve the networking between existing and new holdings. The stakeholders can draw on the organic farming experience of the practice networks.25 At the same time, a best practice network for organic holdings can open doors for interested members of the public to visit them on special days and thus raise awareness about the services and appeal of organic food production and processing. The network of organic demonstration farms26 provides a blueprint in this regard as well. Farmers starting out in organic agriculture and interested members of the public can search for established organic holdings via a virtual stakeholder map, which can be updated swiftly and effectively due to the close links between the relevant economic operators. The virtual stakehold­ er map could be linked up with the Laender and federal levels via the www.oekolandbau.de platform, for example. 25 The “Farmer Schools” and “Stable Schools” are practice networks that have been developed with success to support the organic sector (see e.g. https://www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/organic-farming/x/working-group-animal-welfare/stable- schools-to-improve-animal-health-and-welfare). 26 Further information is available at: https://www.oekolandbau.de/bio-im-alltag/bio-erleben/demonstrationsbetriebe-oekologischer-landbau/ http://www.oekolandbau.de https://www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/organic-farming/x/working-group-animal-welfare/stable-schools-to-improve-animal-health-and-welfare https://www.thuenen.de/en/institutes/organic-farming/x/working-group-animal-welfare/stable-schools-to-improve-animal-health-and-welfare https://www.oekolandbau.de/bio-im-alltag/bio-erleben/demonstrationsbetriebe-oekologischer-landbau/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 57 5.4 Action Area 4: Diet and society Objective: to boost the demand for organic food The planetary boundaries have been transgressed for decades. The negative impact this has had on the environment and the climate is already evident, necessitating a transformation of the food system. The EAT­Lancet Commission has shown how the future global population of 10 billion people in 2050 can be fed a healthy diet within the planet’s ecological boundaries. The Planetary Health Diet is largely in accordance with the German Nutrition Society’s recommendations (DGE, 2022) on a wholesome diet. The recommended quantities of food are also within the German Nutrition Society’s guidance values. Along with other international evaluations, the results of the EAT­Lancet Commission confirm that the implementation of dietary recommendations demonstrably promotes health and protects the environment. This necessary transformation to climate and environmentally friendly consumption patterns will only succeed if citizens are supported in this process (Willett et al., 2019: German Nutrition Society, 2022). It is important to provide citizens with information on what impact their grocery choices have on the environment and the climate. The Federal Government must carry out extensive awareness­building work to make this impact transparent and to provide support. Another key lever is to significantly increase the share of organic goods in away­from­home catering, i.e. both in public catering businesses, such as daycare centres for children, schools, nursing homes, hospitals and authorities, and in the private hotel and restaurant industry, including catering. The percentage of organic food in away­from­home catering is low in Germany compared with Denmark or Austria and has untapped potential for the sale and consumption of organic products. The trend to more sustainability in the hotel and restaurant industry offers a useful start. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 58 27 The following are just some of the many examples: The canteen of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in Berlin managed to significantly increase the percentage of organic food to 43 percent by the end of 2022, with only around a 6 percent increase in costs. The Havelhöhe community hospital in Berlin achieved the goal of more than 40 percent organic food without increasing its budget. The refectory of the Finance Institute of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia in Wuppertal has 65 percent organic products, with the food allowance remaining the same. There are many examples of canteens across Germany that have shown that increasing the per­ centage of organic food can often be largely cost­neutral and consequently socially compatible.27 The “Diet and society” action area aims to provide support via five measures in the areas of consumer information and away­from­home catering, in order to open up access to a regional, seasonal, organic and sustainable diet. Measure 15 Further expanding communication on “organic” Description Wide­ranging and targeted communication measures, for example a consumer information offensive or argumentation aids, will be developed and implemented to inform citizens and stakeholders along the entire value chain, from production and processing to trade and away­ from­home catering, about the added social value of the organic food and agricultural sector, and to build trust in the statutory regulatory and labelling system for organic foods. Objective The objective of the measure is to provide comprehensive information on the organic food and agricultural sector and to close gaps in knowledge in a fact­based and addressee­orientated manner. The measure will also raise awareness about organic farming, organic food processing and a diet featuring organic food as one of the possible answers to the current global challenges regarding climate change mitigation, livestock husbandry and the protection of soil, species and drinking water. 59 Reasoning Studies currently show that many people are not aware of key aspects of the production and man­ ufacture of organic food, or of the legal framework in which the production, import and manufac­ ture of organic food must take place (Risius et al., 2023; Zühlsdorf et al., 2023). The contribution of organic farming to resilient food production, with its added value regarding climate change mitigation, species protection, soil conservation, animal welfare and protection of drinking water, and to high animal husbandry standards, and the ecosystem services of the food produced according to the corresponding standards should therefore be highlighted. The aim should be to impart knowledge, including via the European organic logo, on organic quality and its recognis­ ability as one of the highest legally regulated food standards. Measure 16 Increasing the share of organic food in the canteens of the federal administrative authorities and in other state- subsidised mass catering facilities Description In order to increase the share of organic food in the canteens of the federal administrative authorities, the relevant canteen regulations now provide that the share of organic food on the canteen menus should be increased to at least 30 percent by 2030 at the latest. The BMEL will also conduct a consultation project to support those federal canteens in Berlin28 that aim to have 30 percent or more organic food on their menus. The BMEL, the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation (BMUV) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI)/ procurement office of the BMI (BeschA) intend to carry out a nationwide pilot project by 2025 at the latest to reach at least 50 percent organic food in interested authorities/canteens, in accordance with the policy plan on sustainability no. VI 2.) b. In order to support state­subsidised catering institutions in increasing the amount of organic food in their canteens, the BMEL will continue the advisory services under the Federal Organic Farming Scheme, via measures such as “BioBitte ­ Mehr Bio in öffentlichen Küchen” (Organic Food Please ­ More Organic Food in State­Subsidised Catering Facilities) and “Bio kann jeder ­ nachhaltig essen in Kita und Schule” (Organic food’s for everybody ­ eating sustainably in preschools and schools). The criteria for awarding the “Blauer Engel”, the German state environment label, for “event catering and canteens” were also published in the summer of 2023. Discussions are being held with the Laender 28 Almost 20 percent of all the canteens of the federal administrative authorities subject to the action plan on sustainability are located in Berlin. Due to this, it is planned to have a separate consultation project for Berlin, in which advisory capacities can be pooled and the content specifically adapted to the conditions for canteens of the federal administrative authorities in Berlin. Canteens of the federal administrative authorities in other towns and cities can participate in the pilot project of the BMEL, BMUV and BMI / BeschA. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY on whether the canteen regulation on the share of organic products can serve as a blueprint for the canteens of the Land administrative authorities. All support measures under measure 17 on “facilitating the use of organic foods for away­from­home catering companies” also apply to state­subsidised catering institutions. Objective The objective of the measure is to increase the share of organic food in the canteens of the federal administrative authorities and to support other state­subsidised away­from­home catering institutions in increasing this share while at the same time implementing the quality standards of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) for away­from­home catering. The BMEL will also encourage the Federation institutions to take ambitious action in increasing the share of organic food, so that a share of 30 percent is reached by 2027. Reasoning The canteens of the federal administrative authorities can serve as exemplary role models for establishing organic, healthy, seasonal and regional food, that is as sustainable as possible, across society. A high percentage of organic products – just like a high percentage of plant­based foods – in the federal canteens shows other enterprises that sustainable catering is possible, removes barriers and at the same time establishes corresponding structures in the region that is imple­ menting this measure. The 2021 programme of measures on sustainability and further develop­ ment envisages organic products making up at least 20 percent in canteens of the federal authorities by 2025, and at least 50 percent in selected canteens. The now applicable guidelines for canteens of the federal authorities (canteen guidelines) set out that the percentage of organic food offered by the canteens is to be increased to at least 30 percent by 2030 at the latest, while also creating opportunities for subsidies. The consultation and pilot projects of the BMEL, the BMUV and the BMI are building on these. Practice­orientated training and consultations provided by the BMEL are intended to help increase the percentage of organic food in state canteens. 60 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 61 29 Fact-finding events are currently being offered to advisers to ensure standardised and legally secure organic labelling. Further information is also accessible at: www.bio-ahv.de The “Bio kann jeder ­ nachhaltig essen in Kita und Schule” (Organic food’s for everybody ­ eating sustainably in preschools and schools) measure, established in 2004, has the goal of encourag­ ing preschools and schools to offer more organic products and sustainable food. It is directed in particular to those responsible for catering, for example at municipal level, such as chefs and kitchen staff, preschool carers and teachers. Practice­orientated workshops outline opportunities for introducing organic products or increasing the percentage of organic products, in nutritional concepts for children. An information campaign was launched in February 2020 entitled “Bio­ Bitte ­ Mehr Bio in öffentlichen Küchen” (Organic Food Please ­ More Organic Food in State­Sub­ sidised Catering Facilities). It offers background information and guidelines for decision­makers in politics and administration, staff responsible for catering and procurement, and kitchen staff in order to support the conversion to more organic food in state away­from­home catering. The initiative is particularly intended to address the municipal level in order to raise awareness of the topic of organic production and to support them in increasing the percentage of organic food in their mass catering facilities. Measure 17 Facilitating the use of organic foods for away-from-home catering companies Description Institutions that want to introduce organic food in their kitchens, or increase the amount to at least 30 percent of the monetary cost of goods sold, can apply for financial support for counselling and staff training on the “Guidelines on Promoting the Counselling of Away­From­Home Catering Companies on the Increased Use of Organically Farmed Products (RIBE­AHV)”. The Organic Away­From­Home Catering Ordinance (Bio­AHVV) creates national rules on organic labelling that are specifically tailored to the requirements of away­from­home catering and of the related controls and certification. The BioAHVV also provides a nationwide, standardised test procedure to inspect the organic share and the opportunity for away­from­home catering companies to be awarded a credible and standardised State Bio­AHV label in bronze, silver or gold. 29 Support will also be given to away­from­home catering companies for the organic certification costs for the first two years. Additionally, the “Ernährungswende in der Region” (Regional food system change) competition, which was launched by the BMEL in 2023, will also promote the use of organic food in away­from­home catering. Objective The objective of the measure is to facilitate the use of organic food for away­from­home cater­ ing companies. The financial support for counselling and certification, and the organic logo for restaurants, refectories and canteens, will increase the attractiveness of using organic food in away­from­home catering. http://www.bio-ahv.de 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 62 Figure 9: The bronze (20%-49% of organic products), silver (50%-89% organic products) and gold (90%-100% organic products) organic away-from-home catering labels Source: BMEL Reasoning To enable away­from­home catering companies to advertise their meals as organic, these compa­ nies must be certified as organic and are then subject to controls in accordance with the Organic Farming Act30. The Bio­AHVV (Organic Away­From­Home Catering Ordinance) has now estab­ lished sector­adapted rules which, by laying down clear and simple labelling provisions, also take account of consumer interest in being provided with the corresponding information. Nevertheless, the costs associated with the certification and control processes represent a finan­ cial obstacle to converting to organic products, particularly for smaller away­from­home cater­ ing companies. Providing support with these costs removes this obstacle and supports the away­from­home catering company in the conversion phase until it has established itself on the market with its organic menu. Away­from­home catering companies that would like to convert to organic food with the assistance of consultation and staff training receive additional financial assistance under RIBE­AHV (Guidelines on Promoting the Counselling of Away­From­Home Catering Companies on the Increased Use of Organically Farmed Products) (cf. measure 18 on strengthening advisory services for away­from­home catering companies interested in conver­ sion). The promotion of a healthy and sustainable diet includes the need for a broad dialogue process and specific measures at the conversion level. Via its model region competition on the transformation of regional food systems, the BMEL therefore supports model projects that help promote a healthy diet based on planetary boundaries. One important aspect in this regard is increasing the percentage of organic products in away­from­home catering to at least 30 percent and the development and expansion of regional organic value chains. The BMEL is aiming to address all regions in Germany, and all actors that contribute to regional food system transform­ ation. These include canteen operators, the restaurant and catering sector, “food councils”, scientific institutions, retail trade, regional producers and representatives of the “Edible Town” projects. 30 Organic Farming Act of 07 December 2008 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 2358), last amended by Article 1 of the Act of 17 August 2023 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 219) 63 Measure 18 Strengthening advisory services for away-from-home catering companies interested in conversion Description In order to strengthen advisory services for away­from­home catering companies interested in converting to organic products, the measure will carry out a status quo analysis to identify how the current regional advisory services are structured nationwide, what regions advisory services for away­from­home catering companies need to be expanded in, what kind of additional counsell ing is required, and what areas have further needs that have not previously been met. Based on the analysis, a concept will be drawn up on how to meet the current and future needs in the advisory services, and how they can be raised to a unified, nationwide standard, taking into account regional differences in structure. Additionally, the measure will create a dialogue network for advisers to promote advanced training and exchange of experiences within the advisory­service structure and to take on quality assurance tasks. The promotion of the organic agricultural and horticultural advisory­service structure can act as an example here. This has been flanked by the publication of the BMEL’s “Guidelines on Promoting the Coun­ selling of Away­From­Home Catering Companies on the Increased Use of Organically Farmed Products (RIBE­AHV)”. Objective The objective of the measure is to create a nationwide advisory­service structure for away­from­ home catering companies that are interested in converting to organic products and provide high­quality, comparable advice geared to the region and the target group. Reasoning The introduction or increased use of organic products may require significant restructuring processes in the away­from­home catering companies. In order to facilitate the restructuring processes for the companies, and to support long­term, cost­effective implementation, companies need high­quality, dialogue­based advice that is geared to organic food and the secure and predominantly regional procurement of such food. There are, however, too few advisers nationwide. The regional distribution and availability of qualified advisory agencies for away­from­home catering facilities also differs significantly across the country. The differences result primarily from the regional circumstances and structures and from the non­standardised training of the advisory agencies. The current structures are very difficult for the actors to gauge. 64 Measure 19 Strengthening education on the production and processing of organic foods along the value chain Description The goal is to promote comprehensive nutritional education, including in general­education schools, in order to transform the agri­food system and foster a healthy and sustainable diet. This would allow people to learn about the concepts of the organic food and agricultural sector at a younger age. Discussions will therefore be held with the responsible stakeholders of the Laender on whether internships in enterprises along the organic value chain can be integrated into the curricula of general­education schools. It will also be discussed how enterprises offering such internships can be supported by paedagogical training opportunities. It will also be examined whether it is possible to develop and establish a competition focusing on the organic sector for vocational schools that train students for food and agricultural jobs, with awards being presented for the best activities (e.g. projects and exam assignments). In order to also teach the required depth and range of skills for organic food processing in the vocational schools, a status quo analysis will be conducted and a working group involving all stakeholders in artisanal food training will develop and implement concepts and measures to ensure that particular aspects of organic food processing are integrated appropriately into the dual vocational training system. In addition to this, suitable support schemes will develop projects and initiatives to provide teaching staff from both general­education schools and the vocational schools with insights into the organic value chain. These measures will be implemented in harmony with the National Action Plan on Education for Sustainable Development. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 65 31 Study of the Lower Saxony Competence Centre for Organic Farming (https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/ berufliche-bildung/). Objective The objective of the measure is to facilitate access to knowledge and skills relating to a healthy and sustainable diet and to the organic food and agricultural sector, and to develop ways in which young people and their teaching staff, in both general­education schools and vocational schools, can learn about organic production and processing. The resultant familiarity with the organic value chain is intended to increase the interest in a vocational future in the organic food and agricultural sector. Reasoning An increasing number of people outside the food and agricultural sector have little or no experi­ ence with food production, and often do not know the fundamental aspects of a healthy and sustainable diet. The lack of understanding of the processes involved, and the lack of emotional attachment, hinder the necessary appreciation of high quality foods and also the desire to work in the food production sector. In relation to the organic food and agricultural sectors, this means: If people were given hands­on experience in the organic food and agricultural sector, this could open up new prospects and generate enthusiasm for organically produced food. This could provide key impetus for the entire sector. Organic food manufacturers are also currently facing the challenge of skills shortages. At the same time, organic food producers offer attractive jobs in a future­orientated market. It has, how­ ever, not yet been investigated to what extent the special features of organic food processing are taught in the vocational and technical colleges. The results of the Federal Organic Farming Scheme project entitled “Status quo analysis and development of courses of action for the greater integration of organic farming into the vocational training for the job profiles of farmer, gardener and wine grower” provide initial ideas for such an investigation and for the derivation of corresponding approaches. The vocational and technical colleges specialising in agriculture were included in the project, which enabled agreements to be concluded on Land­specific concepts to integrate organic aspects into the curricula to a greater extent. Aspects relating to the networking of teaching staff, to advanced training and to the improved provision of informative material were identified as key.31 The main support the BMEL can provide in this regard is advice and consultation, but it can also prepare and provide informative material for both teaching staff and pupils, in order to ensure that knowledge of organic skills is adequately relayed in the vocational colleges specialising in food production jobs and above all to improve the knowledge in the area of the production and processing of organic foods along the value chain. For example, the Federal Information Centre on Agriculture (BZL), one of the BMEL’s ministerial institutions, is currently drawing up informat­ ive material on organic farming, developing training components for general­education and vocational schools and elaborating informative material as an aid for vocational training instruc­ tors. Similar steps could be taken for the entire area of production and processing of organic foods along the value chain. A school competition, with an award for the best projects, could motivate young people to deal in greater detail with the organic concept. https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/berufliche-bildung/ https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/berufliche-bildung/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 66 5.5 Action Area 5: Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure Objective: Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure for the organic food and agricultural sector will be expanded as part of the transform­ ation of the agri­food system The transformation of the agri­food system must be supported and flanked by research in all areas. Overarching approaches that pool and focus research resources are needed to exploit the full potential of the organic food and agricultural industry, and to promote its expansion. Figure 10: Presentation of the main research areas on the further development of the organic sector for a transform- ation of the agri-food system. Source: BLE (2023) This requires both fundamental and practical research that follows disciplinary, inter­disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, as well as the close involvement of practitioners and systemic research under real conditions along the entire value chain. Knowledge transfer to organic farms and farms interested in converting to organic farming is indispensable for networking and for solving production and processing problems. This research, this knowledge transfer, the data availability and the research infrastructure for the development and expansion of the organic food and agricultural industry can be decisive factors in the acceptance by all stakeholders and in their motivation to address and actively shape the realignment of the food and agricultural system. The action area on “Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure” aims to provide the necessary impetus with the following seven measures and in this way to contribute significantly to the further development of the organic food and agricultural industry. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 67 Description In order to strengthen support for research on the organic food and agricultural industry and the respective food systems, the subject will be integrated into research strategies and schemes. This also includes focused and fundamental research schemes. This goes hand in hand with the provision of the necessary funds for the support of research, development and innovation in this sector. In addition to this, the BMEL will collaborate with science, industry, advisory services and prac­ tice as part of an ongoing and systematic process to identify current research subjects and priorit­ ise them according to current requirements. Research requirements and their prioritisation will be regularly reviewed and, if necessary, realigned in accordance with societal goals. This requires a close dovetailing with measure 21 on “strengthening and equipping the BMEL’s ministerial research to provide policy support on the organic food and agricultural sector”. Objective The objective of the measure is to organise research strategies, research schemes and research infrastructure in such a way that they promote an ecological and sustainable food and agricul­ tural transformation. Reasoning More work is needed on many different research issues along the value chain, up to and includ­ ing consumption, across the entire organic food and agricultural sector, and in the relevant food system. This means that funds for research, development and innovation projects need to be used in a targeted manner and specific support given for the practical application of innova­ tions. Research assists, for example, in further boosting progress and innovations in production systems and technologies, and in the assessment, processing and marketing of products from organic production. Account is taken of nutritional aspects and civil society’s expectations. Measure 20 Aligning research strategies and schemes to the organic food and agricultural sector 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 68 Measure 21 Strengthening and equipping the BMEL’s ministerial research to provide policy support on the organic food and agricultural sector Description In accordance with the 30 percent goal, the BMEL’s ministerial research will be equipped to find solutions to topics and issues of importance for the organic food and agricultural sector. Coupled with this, the BMEL’s research institutions will be provided with research conditions and infrastructures that correspond to the legal framework for organic production and processing and adequately reflect organic farming practice. Structures will also be developed to facilitate continuous networking, both between the Federal Ministries’ research institutions and also with other relevant research institutions. This measure must be closely dovetailed with measure 20 on “aligning research strategies and schemes to the organic food and agricultural sector”. Objective The objective of the measure is to align and structurally equip the BMEL’s research institutions to enable them to continue to develop the research projects relating to the organic food and agricultural sector within their own purview in order to provide substantive advice and support to policymakers and society in the necessary transformation of the entire agri­food system. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 69 Description In order to strengthen research, development and innovation in the organic food and agricultural sector throughout Germany, discussions will be held with the Laender and with science on how research into issues relating to the organic food and agricultural sector at universities and Land research institutions can be comprehensively strengthened and made attractive for young research talent. Together with the Laender, science and practice, programmes will be drawn up to establish regional contact points that facilitate access to funds and links to practitioners. Joint work will also be carried out to develop new funding models for research and practical imple­ mentation for farmers, small and medium­sized enterprises, start­ups, project spin­offs, consor­ tia from science and practice and a cross­Laender exchange format on subjects related to the organic food and agricultural sector. Objective The objective of the measures is to collaborate with the Laender and science to enshrine research and innovation relating to the organic food and agricultural sector in the regional research land­ scape. Reasoning It can be observed that institutions of higher education are tending to reduce applied agricultural research and not filling vacancies in professorial chairs in the field of organic food and farming.32 In order to keep pace with the international scientific developments in this field, the research landscape and up­and­coming academics must not be thinned out. Scientifically based inspir­ ation for the development of production systems in the organic food and agricultural sectors must continue to be gathered and passed on, both nationally and internationally. In order to scientifically promote and flank the transformation of agriculture and the food system, know­ ledge relating to the organic food and agricultural sector and to adequate (applied) research approaches must be retained and developed in the respective regions. Measure 22 Structurally strengthening the regional research landscape, developing young research talent, expanding knowledge on the organic food and agricultural sector and strengthening innovation Reasoning Due to their broad range of themes and expertise, and the possibility of networking different areas of expertise, the BMEL’s research institutions offer ideal conditions to carry out research into long­term issues along the entire organic farming value chain, up to and including nutrition. In this context, they can also carry out innovative and knowledge­based work to flank and analyse the developments, practical implementation and consequential effects linked to strengthening the organic food and agricultural sectors. This requires qualified personnel and suitable test facil­ ities and structures that facilitate a comprehensive networking in this field. 32 Cf. the summary report of the WITA Workshops “For 25% organic farming and more – what research to we need?” in Frick on 07.03.2023, accessible at: https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer-Landbau/ wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.html https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer-Landbau/wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.htm https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer-Landbau/wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.htm 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 70 Measure 23 Triggering transformation via practical research on organic production and sustainable diet Description The BMEL will cooperate with the Laender, the research sector, advisory services and practition­ ers and use corresponding analyses in order to strengthen applied research into developing the organic production, processing, distribution and consumption of organic foods. These concepts and structures will include data generation, data retention, the long­term flanking of projects and a supraregional network of researchers. Objective The objective of the measure is to create structures for conducting research under real condi­ tions, thereby facilitating wide­ranging studies, advisory services and practical application of knowledge on developing the organic food and agricultural industry and on analysing and developing the sustainability of agri­food systems. Regional integration and longer time horizons are crucial to research transformation processes and their effects. There need to be long­term incentives to establish and uphold excellent research. Processes to apply research findings in practice also need to be easier and faster. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 71 Reasoning Production systems depend greatly on the natural conditions of the respective site, on techni­ cal developments and on economic and social conditions. These are all in a constant process of development and change. To make research in the organic food and agricultural sector effective and to be able to carry out a realistic policy impact assessment, it is necessary on the one hand to create trial areas and on the other to observe, analyse and document developments consistently and long­term. Other key factors for determining the potential of a region for the production, trade and consumption of food include the proximity to sales markets, the establishment and development of a specialised infrastructure for market development and for the further processing of products, and economic conditions for fair interaction based on the general interest. The following trial areas could be created or existing trial areas developed: → Enterprises in production and processing, including their value chains: A “Reference Net­ work on Organic Farming” could document the development and spread of primary produc­ tion processes in organic farming and investigate longer­term issues. This would allow the effects of interventions in the management of holdings, of policy measures and of changes in the market environment, along with ad­hoc issues on policy support, to then be processed in a practice­oriented manner based on sound knowledge of the real management systems, and urgently needed data to then be systematically gathered (Sanders et al., 2020). Further “pilot production and processing enterprises” could be used to record, evaluate and develop produc­ tion techniques for organic products, and to analyse, evaluate and optimise value chains. → Landscapes: In various different agricultural areas, experimental “landscape laboratories” could be established to develop practicable solutions for future challenges and for expect­ ations regarding land use. Using organic farming as a model for individual farms could develop landscapes that are future­proof and still put to use. People would be explicitly integrated into the supra­farm strategy developments [agroecology approach, taken to mean a scientific discipline that deals with the adaptation of agriculture to natural and climatic conditions and cycles and to people’s local needs: organic farming; man­and­the­biosphere concept: biosphere reserves (UNESCO, 1971) and Lima Action Plan (UNESCO, 2016)]. → Organic model regions: A cross­Land coordination body could be established for Land organic model regions or organic best practice regions; in addition to carrying out scientific analyses of the mechanisms behind a successful expansion of the organic food and agri­ cultural sector, this body could carry out further services and information transfers for the organic model regions and derive recommendations for further development (creation of a nationwide networking body) in order to strengthen value chains. → Food regions: Aspects that affect sustainable consumption and a healthy diet, including the consumption of organic products, could be implemented and analysed at regional level (including, for example, in relation to the away­from­home catering and societal change). On the production side, research promotion could be used to help analyse potential for the regional expansion of organic farming, in particular vegetable and fruit farming, and to optimise organic production, including collection of data and distribution. In addition to this, analysis could be carried out of existing gaps in supply and the causes of these gaps, also in relation to existing trade structures and contracts, in order to assess potential and identify options for action. Furthermore, other subjects for investigation could include organic farming and organic processing of oilseeds and grain legumes for human nutrition along the entire value chain, from breeding to the finished food product. Another aspect is the integra­ tion of the food sector, including processing and logistics, into this structure. Important interfaces in this regard comprise the BMEL model region competition on regional food systems transformation, the BMEL funding announcement for managing the launch of a project relating to the processing and marketing of regional foods, and the planned food and nutrition strategy. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 72 → Transformation regions: In addition to this, the approaches in the organic model regions and food regions, namely to create fair, transparent interaction geared to the general interest in the entire food and agricultural sector (from production and trade, including import and export, to the shop counter and the plate) could be expanded in “transformation regions”. The aspect of true cost accounting (Hendiks et al., 2021) would need to be taken into account in this regard, as would the sustainable transformation of agriculture and the food system. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 73 Description In order to strengthen the transfer of knowledge gained in organic food and agricultural research to all relevant areas, the BMEL will work with science, advisory services, educational institutions and practitioners to analyse the causes of the known shortcomings in knowledge transfer from the organic food and agricultural sector to the different target groups and draw up a catalogue of measures to remedy these shortcomings. Approaches to promote knowledge transfer from research into the organic food and agricultural sector will be developed and expanded. Together with the Laender, discussions will be held on how to make knowledge transfer from univer­ sity research into the organic food and agricultural sector more successful and what research communication structures need to be developed. It will also be possible to build on the existing knowledge transfer structures in the Federal Organic Farming Scheme. Objective The objective of the measure is, in compliance with the principles of scientific communication, to communicate research results relating to the organic food and agricultural sector in a manner appropriate to the respective target group and adapted to requirements for all actors in both the organic and the conventional food and agricultural industry. Reasoning The organic food and agricultural sector places particularly high demands on the knowledge and skills of those involved. Two challenges facing the organic food and agricultural sector are to optimise yields while increasing the environmental services and services of general interest and to ensure high­quality produce while restricting the use of additives and processing aids. Organic food processing in turn requires a high degree of knowledge in order to reliably manufacture the best products with the often heterogeneous quality of the produce. In communicating with the public, the key is for the public to value and correspondingly reward the special quality of organic products. Measure 24 Structurally integrating and improving the methodology of knowledge transfer and research communication 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 74 However, the knowledge system that has developed to flank the sector (e.g. the www.oekolandbau.de internet portal) does not provide a needs­based overview of the current level of knowledge. In terms of communication and knowledge transfer, the agricultural sector does have an advice net­ work to which knowledge is professionally transported, which prepares this knowledge according to the respective target group and which passes it on as a multiplier. However, such structures or systematic knowledge transfer are partly lacking for food processing and almost completely lack­ ing for communication with the public regarding basic and advanced training.33 In order to reach a large target group, it is imperative that existing communication channels are known about and used professionally. Measure 25 Promoting teaching about the organic food and agricultural sector at universities Description The aim is, with the help of a status quo analysis, to determine how deeply and broadly the topics of the organic food and agricultural industry have been included in the degree courses of veterinary medicine, food science and dietary science. In order to facilitate access to the organic food and agricultural industry for students at German universities, the BMEL will discuss with the Laender and universities/science how the teaching content in these areas can be systematic­ ally introduced into the curricula of the agricultural study courses. Objective The objective of the measure is above all, with regard to the undergraduate university courses, to impart knowledge about the organic food and agricultural industry on an equal footing with knowledge about the conventional system. 33 Cf. the summary report of the WITA workshop on “For 25% organic farming and more – what research do we need?” in Frick on 07.03.2023, accessible at: https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer- Landbau/wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.html http://www.oekolandbau.de https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer-Landbau/wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.html https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/ Landwirtschaft/Biologischer-Landbau/wita-workshop-ergebnisbericht.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 75 34 Study of the Lower Saxony Competence Centre for Organic Farming (https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/ berufliche-bildung/). 35 Regulation (EU) 2022/2379 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 November 2022 on statistics on agricultural input and output, amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 617/2008 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1165/2008, (EC) No 543/2009 and (EC) No 1185/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 96/16/EC. Official Journal of the European Union L 315/1 of 07/02/2022. Reasoning The Federal Organic Farming Scheme project entitled “Status quo analysis and development of courses of action for the greater integration of organic farming into the vocational training for the job profiles of farmer, gardener and wine grower” has shown that there is a lack of contin­ uous, mandatory teaching on organic farming in the agricultural and horticultural sciences.34 This is a great barrier to innovation, as findings from organic farming are also able to be used in con­ ventional cultivation. The status quo analysis is intended to determine to what extent university degrees in veterinary medicine, nutrition and food science include teaching devoted to the organic food and agricultural sector. Measure 26 Improving the availability of data on organic farming and the organic food sector Description In order to make comprehensive and differentiated data on the organic food and agricultural industry available, it will be necessary to collect data on organic production, processing and trade, including import and export, continually and as far as possible in accordance with the same protocols, and to then make this data available rapidly to all interested parties (research, industry, advisory services, administration and practitioners). The measure will at the same time ensure that business secrets are protected and that competitive structures are maintained, both within the organic market and between organic and conventional products. In collaboration with the sector, the need will be continually recorded and potential solutions discussed with the competent bodies. The general harvest and fruit­tree surveys will take greater account of organic farming in particular. Discussions will be held with the Laender and the organic control bodies on whether the organic control bodies operating in Germany could in future conduct a digital, standardised collection of the data and information as part of the organic certification of their clients, and then enter them in anonymised form in a database. It will be discussed how, in respect of the processing enterprises, the data and information can be collected in a standardised manner while also being differentiated according to the respective sector. In order to continue to bolster the market relevance of organic food enterprises, the measure will also examine options for recording further business data such as the number of employees. Discussions will also be conducted with the Laender – including during the implementation of the new Regulation (EU) 2022/237935 – on how the production volume of organic livestock and the respective slaughter volume can be recorded and made available. It will also be examined whether and how the BMEL’s voluntary test farm network can be adapted so that the participating organic farms adequately represent the organic farm sector in Germany. It will also be examined whether a test network of enterprises along the value chain could be established. Following the development of a standard sustainability structure at European level, it is necessary to examine the idea of having a central database to calculate the environmental footprints with suitable data from Germany, including organic data. The already existing databases and networks must be incorporated in order to meet these aims. In general, the measure will particularly examine how to build on the https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/berufliche-bildung/ https://www.oeko-komp.de/projektergebnisse/berufliche-bildung/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 76 developments of the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI) and specifically how to link up with the NFDI consortia FAIRagro and NFDI4BioDiversity. They must be better connected and utilised to a greater extent, and the instruments that become available as a result of the ongoing digitalisation in administration and practice must be used. It will be examined whether the Thünen Institute can play a coordinating role in this regard. Objective The objective of the measure is to improve data availability and quality on organic production and the organic food sector. Reasoning The organic inspection controls36 collect significant data along the value chain. This data should be anonymised and harnessed as they offer an important basis for political decisions and could provide key information for farms willing to develop or convert to organic farming. This is true, for example, of existing mills, bakeries and other processing companies that process and market products from organic farming. There is also no dependable data on the size of the existing and potential market for the use of organic food in away­from­home catering. This means that where and to what extent organic products are recorded, processed and traded is largely unknown. At the same time, organic companies are of particular relevance, particularly for reviving rural areas; however, there has to date been a lack of valid data in this area as well. At most, project­based situational analyses have been carried out on selected aspects or segments of the organic sector since the Federal Organic Farming Scheme was launched.37 The Laender have also carried out regional situational analyses as part of their political activities to promote organic farming.38 The different studies are usually neither coordinated (in terms of their content) nor are the results centrally ­ and consequently easily ­ accessible. They are also not always carried out continuously. The data situation is similarly insufficient regarding the earnings in kind achieved in organic farming. The pool of available and valid data on earnings in kind should be expanded without delay in order to provide a more factual basis for the debate on the yield potential, the actual yields and the resource efficiency in the organic production system. In addition to this, the market actors require meaningful production data in order to be able to make their enterprises and market strategies fit for the future and consequently to enable a targeted expansion of organic farming. There are plans in this regard, for example changes to the general recording of yields and fruit­tree growing. For vegetables and soft fruits, data on cultivation and harvests are collated; organic production is taken into consideration in the data published annually. Follow­ ing the development of a pan­European standardised sustainability framework and the method­ ology underpinning it, it is becoming increasingly important to establish a central database based on data from Germany that is available to all actors. The data currently available is based on 36 A = enterprises engaged in production; B = enterprises engaged in processing; C = importers; E = enterprises preparing feed, compound feed and feed materials; H = pure trading companies. The different types of company also include enterprises that partially or completely commission third parties to conduct single or multiple activities in areas A, B, C or E.. There are also mixed types; for example, agricultural enterprises that also engage in processing are classified as AB (cf. BLE – capitalise Landbau – Strukturdaten zum Ökologischen Landbau in Deutschland) 37 The BÖL’s research promotion therefore continues to fund a range of situational analyses on selected aspects of organic production and the organic food industry; for various reasons, however, the aspects recorded were not consolidated into a monitoring system (cf.: https://www.orgprints.org/ under “Situationsanalyse”). 38 One example of this is the study carried out in Baden-Württemberg on “EVA – BIOBW 2030” (cf.: capitalise Landbau und Ökomarkt in Baden-Württemberg – Bio-aus-BW). https://www.orgprints.org/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 77 pan­European datasets 39 and therefore distort the environmental footprints of products from Germany’s various different regions, which have different focuses. The CO2 footprint and the water footprint play a particular role in the overall environmental footprint. There is scarcely any data available on different business aspects in organic farming; this applies particularly to the production costs at farm level. The BMEL’s test farm survey has, since the mid­1990s, also fed in the financial balances of organic farms and carried out analyses for this group. Approximately 600 organic farms were represented in the test farm survey in the last two economic years. It is necessary to expand the number of organic farms. The specialised organic horticultural holdings will be integrated into the enterprise survey of the Centre for Business Management in Horticulture in order to incorporate the enterprises into existing skills networks, to promote the exchange between these enterprises and to generate data on the economic situation in organic horticulture. 39 Cf.: Homepage - AGRIBALYSE® documentation (EN) and https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/LCDN/contactListEF.xhtml 5.6 Action Area 6: A coherent legal and support framework Objective: To consistently gear the legal and support framework towards strengthening the organic food and agricultural sector Support, regulatory and fiscal measures support the fundamental change of the agri­food system in addition to research. These measures are an expression of political will and constitute the guidelines for a sustainable development of the organic food and agricultural sector, at both national and European level. The aim is to use the proven forms of cooperation between the Federation and the Laender and at European level in order to drive the transformation and at the same time to bear in mind the Global South, with its flows of goods, its challenges and its opportunities. The four measures developed in the action area on “a coherent legal and support framework” are intended to make a decisive contribution towards achieving this. https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/LCDN/contactListEF.xhtml 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 78 Measure 27 Gearing the improvement of the Regional Economic Structure (GRW) and the Joint Task for the Improvement of Agricultural Structures and Coastal Protection (GAK) more strongly towards the goals of sustainability, environmental protection and climate stewardship and the GAK also towards the organic food and agricultural sector Description In order to align the joint tasks of improving regional economic structures (GRW) and improving agricultural structures and coastal protection (GAK) more closely to the goals of sustainability, environmental protection and climate change mitigation, and to align the GAK more closely to the organic farming and food sector, the BMEL works with the Laender, as laid down in the coa­ lition agreement, to regularly examine whether the existing funding principles in the joint tasks serve the above goals and to what extent improvements can be made. Objective The objective of the measure is, in cooperation with the Laender, to gear the principles of support in the GRW and the GAK more strongly towards the objectives described in the coalition agree­ ment. Reasoning The GRW is the main instrument of regional economic policy in Germany. GRW support is focused mainly on trade and industry enterprises (including the organic food industry); support for agricultural enterprises is excluded. The regional structural policy, both in general and specific­ ally in the GRW, has been realigned in order to cushion the enormous changes that will take place over the next few years, particularly in structurally weak areas – changes caused not least by demographic ageing, the necessary transformation towards climate neutrality by 2045 and the economic implications of the energy crisis. The Federal Minister of Finance and the ministers for economic affairs of the Federal Government and the Laender, adopted the reform of the GRW on 13 December 2022. One major change is that there is now a greater focus on regional value chains. The reform gave up on the criterion of supraregional sales, in view of new challenges and scientific knowledge. In future, enterprises that are primarily active at regional level will also be able to receive GRW funds. This change is intended to help strengthen regional value chains in structurally weak regions and to tap potential for independent regional development. This can be built on. It is the most important national support instrument aimed at making the agricultural and forestry sectors efficient, competitive and orientated towards future challenges, while safeguarding the vitality of rural areas and improving coastal protection. It contains a broad range of structural measures for agriculture, which can help strengthen organic farming and organic value chains. Of particular importance in this regard are GAK measure 4.B.1.0 on supporting organic farming and GAK measure 3.A on improving processing and market structures for agricultural produce, which provides for support of producer organisations and enterprises that process and market organic produce. They have further development potential, particularly in terms of reducing red tape and simplifying smaller projects. 79 Measure 28 Gearing the CAP more strongly towards the goals of sustainability, environmental protection, climate stewardship and organic farming Description In accordance with the objectives of the coalition agreement, the BMEL will draft proposals on how the direct payments in the first pillar of the EU CAP and the payments in the second pillar can, after 2027, be geared more strongly towards the goals of sustainability, environmental protection and climate stewardship, as well as on safeguarding of farm income and the excellent quality of organic farming. It will be imperative to give consideration in this regard to the neces­ sary transformation of conventional agriculture to an agriculture geared more strongly towards environmental services and services of general interest. Following the experiences regarding the last agricultural reforms, the necessity of making far­reaching simplifications to the CAP has proved to be a matter of ongoing urgency, as the practical implementation of the EU agricultural support has become even more complicated. The post­2027 CAP must therefore become less bureaucratic for enterprises and administration. In autumn 2023, a policy paper will be presented on how the direct payments can be replaced in an appropriate and income­generating manner by the remuneration of climate and environmental services. Support schemes to improve bio­ diversity services geared towards organic farming will be developed by 2026.40 Objective The objective of the measure is, together with the Laender, to drive the transformation towards more sustainability, climate action and environmental protection while safeguarding farm income in agriculture through the future structure of the EU CAP. 40 Cf.: 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy – proposals for discussion put forward by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV): https://dialog.bmuv.de/bmu/de/process/58604 https://dialog.bmuv.de/bmu/de/process/58604 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 80 Measure 29 Continuing to develop Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and creating a coherent national regulatory framework for boosting the organic food and agricultural sector Description The BMEL is conducting discussions with the Laender and industry on further developing Regulat­ ion (EU) 2018/848 with the aim of maintaining its focus on practicability and growth. In addit ion to this, Germany continues to take an active role in the relevant debate at European level. In addition to this, discussions will be conducted with the Laender and industry on whether and ­ if so ­ what procedural steps considered necessary to date are hindering a conversion to organic production and how these can be changed without endangering the quality of organic product­ ion and processing or disregarding the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Reasoning The transformation towards more sustainability in agriculture was initiated at European level through the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy and is also seen in the development of the EU’s CAP. One of the goals of the CAP for the 2023 to 2027 funding period is to help support and strengthen environmental protection and climate change mitigation. In the German CAP Strategic Plan, which describes the national implementation of the CAP, the BMEL has stated that the Federal Government’s expansion target is to have 30 percent of farmland under organic farming. Sustainable agricultural services are remunerated to a greater degree in the current funding period than was the case in the past, both via the European Agricultural Rural Development Fund (EAFRD, known as the 2nd pillar of the CAP) and via the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF, known as the 1st pillar). All recipients of direct payments from the 1st pillar and from area and livestock aid from the 2nd pillar must now meet stricter, binding requirements (conditionality) in order to receive the subsidies in full. For example, the protection of wetlands and peatland has been improved and the maintenance of ecologically valuable permanent grassland ensured. In addition to this, at least 23 percent of the direct­payment budget is used for environmental schemes, providing stronger incentives for climate and environmentally friendly management methods. The 2nd pillar funds have also been significantly boosted through an increasing reallocation of direct payments and this creates financial scope for other areas, including the support of organic farming. These measures have already helped implement major goals of the Farm to Fork Strategy; how­ ever, ecological services must be granted even greater and more attractive rewards. The current support architecture is also very complex for all those involved and must be simplified. The coming funding period must therefore, in accordance with the goals of the coalition agree­ ment, be used to build on this and gear the support architecture even more closely to the goal of aligning agriculture to environmental services and service of general interest, and to provide corresponding funds for this aim. Organic farming is particularly important in this regard. 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 81 41 Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European Union L 198/1 of 22 July 1991. Objective The objective of the measure is to drive forward the further development of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, to jointly identify procedural obstacles and to draw up solutions. Reasoning Regulation (EEC) 2092/9141 was adopted in 1991 and represents the first binding regulation on organic farming worldwide. It has evolved continually ever since. Following eight years of negoti­ ation and implementation, the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and the relevant imple­ menting provisions came into force on 1 January 2022. A continual evolution of the Regulation, taking into account the experiences from implementing the new legal framework, ensures that the organic farming and food sectors have a practicable, knowledge­based, expedient and protected basis for converting to and maintaining organic production. During the stakeholder process, it became clear that specific legal requirements, also resulting from the application of horizontal legal regulations, are perceived as unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and as an obstacle to the expansion of the organic food and agricultural sectors. Exam­ ples cited included the planned sustainability assessments and labels, immission control and specific requirements for small and medium­sized food processing enterprises. The aim is now to gather more precise data on which specific legal requirements at the different levels of produc­ tion and processing hinder the development of the organic food sector. This will be used as a basis to then examine the possibilities for phasing out and reducing severe bureaucratic hurdles. 82 Measure 30 Developing organic farming methods as a policy option for the Global South to achieve the human right to adequate food. Description In order to better develop organic farming methods as a policy option for the Global South to achieve the human right to adequate food, site­appropriate production methods and organic farming practices will be supported in development cooperation. This can help achieve various Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, in particular 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 15. Objective The objective of the measure is to: — create local, diverse, productive and resilient production for (smallholder) farming enterprises in regions that are particularly affected by food insecurity; — support the expansion of local and regional value creation up to and including entry into the international organic market; — drive forward the sustainable development of existing production systems, while including traditional and local knowledge, and support knowledge­sharing in this area; — strengthen women, in particular young mothers, as family breadwinners; and — highlight and offer organic farming as an option for climate action, environmental conserv­ ation and health protection, in the spirit of One Health, for regions that are particularly affected by food insecurity. Reasoning Worldwide, the aim of having a world without hunger and other forms of malnutrition, and the achievement of the right to adequate food, remains one of the main global challenges (FAO et al., 2021). Hunger and malnutrition are, besides conflicts, extreme weather conditions and economic shocks, usually a result of poverty which affects both people in agricultural enterprises in rural regions and people in urban areas without access to land. Unaffordable or inaccessible inputs, a lack of knowledge, a lack of access to information, uncertain conditions, including extreme weather events due to the climate crisis, and the loss of biodiversity often lead to low yields per unit area and a further deterioration in the production base (e.g. degraded soils). Agro­ ecological approaches are regarded as strategies (FAO, 2015) that increase the options, acceptance and appreciation of agriculture and farmers worldwide. The policy recommendations adopted by 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 83 the Committee on World Food Security in 2021 on agro­ecological and other innovative approaches provide important guidance.42 The FAO classifies organic farming as an agro­ecological approach (FAO, 2019; GIZ, 2020); it is legally defined and regulated in many countries. Certified organic farming is carried out across the globe in all agro­ecological zones and under a huge variety of socio­economic conditions. In 2021, organic products achieved a global turnover of 125 billion euros (Willer et al., 2023). The contribution by organic farming to local and regional production in the different countries cannot be specifically evaluated in terms of self­sufficiency and income­generating opportunities. It can, however, make an important contribution to combating hunger in marginalised small­ holder families (Rahmann et al., 2017). Organic farming has the following approaches towards the transformation of agriculture and food systems that is necessary to achieve sustainable global food security: → Increase plant production yields in smallholder farms with organic farming methods, taking into account natural materials cycles: organic farming methods can help raise yields to a medi­ um level of performance and create sustainable production systems without requiring a high use of external inputs. Capacity development regarding organic farming and agroecology methods are essential for this purpose. → Integrating animal husbandry, fisheries and aquaculture into the production system, as is practised in many organic farming systems, can further increase the yield level and the overall operating profits. This strengthens the resilience of rural households. → Strengthen vegetable growing and the keeping of small livestock (backyard farming and kitchen gardening) for on­farm consumption in smallholder farms with organic farming methods : many smallholder farms produce food to meet their own needs. They grow fruit or vegetables in the back garden and keep small livestock. It is often women and their children who are responsible for production. Training these women in organic farming methods and natural post­harvest protection reduces the risk of plant protection products and mineral fertilisers being used improperly, of food being wasted and of the farms suffering post­harvest losses. → Strengthen partnerships with the food sector and expand connections to international markets: implementing organic farming and an organic food industry in practice requires broad alliances on an equal footing that balance interests and transfer knowledge. In order to sustainably generate knowledge together, particularly with the Global South, international associations, trade and local non­governmental organisations can be consulted in drawing up corresponding strategies and programmes. To this end, it is beneficial to develop a more ecological governing vision in cross­border cooperation. Guidance is offered by the High Level Panel of Experts’ (HLPE) report no. 14 on “Agroecological and other innovative approaches”43, the BMZ’s strategy on “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems”44 and the BMEL’s Africa Concept45. 42 Cf.: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/cfs/Docs2021/Documents/Policy Recommendations Agroecology other Innovations/2021 Agroecological and other innovations EN.pdf 43 Accessible at: https://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ca5602en.pdf 44 Cf.: https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/ernaehrungssicherung 45 Accessible at: https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/afrika-konzept.html https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/cfs/Docs2021/Documents/Policy Recommendations Agroecology other Innovations/2021 Agroecological and other innovations EN.pdf https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/cfs/Docs2021/Documents/Policy Recommendations Agroecology other Innovations/2021 Agroecological and other innovations EN.pdf https://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ca5602en.pdf https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/ernaehrungssicherung https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/afrika-konzept.html 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 84 6 References 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 85 References Azarbad H (2022): Conventional vs. Organic Agriculture – Which One Promotes Better Yields and Microbial Resilience in Rapidly Changing Climates? Frontiers in Microbiology 13: 903500. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.903500 Badgley C, Moghtader J, Quintero E, Zakem E, Chappell M J, Avilés-Vázquez K, Samulon A, Per- fecto I (2007): Organic agriculture and the global food supply. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems 22(2): 86–108. doi: 10.1017/S1742170507001640 BCG (2019): Die Zukunft der deutschen Landwirtschaft nachhaltig sichern. Denkanstöße und Szenarien für ökologische, ökonomische und soziale Nachhaltigkeit. Boston Consulting Group, 64 p. https://web­assets.bcg.com/7a/17/971c6d0e4fcb8067d406b8a9bb4a/die­zukunft­der­ deutschen­landwirtschaft­sichern.pdf Bessai AK, Brock A, Droscha A, Jacob I, Manek G, Vogt-Kaute W, Baumann A, Beck A, Herrmann F, Jànszky B (2023): Forschungsbedarf, Forschungsinfrastrukturen und Wissenstransfer aus Prax­ issicht für 30 % Öko. 16. Wissenschaftstagung Ökologischer Landbau, Schweiz, 35 p. BfN (2019): Abbau naturschädigender Subventionen und Kompensationszahlungen auf stoffliche Belastungen; Ökonomische Instrumente zum Schutz der biologischen Vielfalt. Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Bonn, 61 p. BLE (2023): Darstellung wurde von der Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung für die Bio­Strategie 2030 erstellt. BMEL (2017): Zukunftsstrategie ökologischer Landbau. Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 99 p. https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/ ZukunftsstrategieOekologischerLandbau2019.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=5 BMEL (2022): Wertschöpfung der Landwirtschaft. https://www.bmel­statistik.de/landwirtschaft/ landwirtschaftliche­gesamtrechnung/wertschoepfung BMEL (2023a): Öko­Barometer 2022. Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 26 p. https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/oeko­barometer­2022. html BMEL (2023b): Auch in Krisenzeiten: Landwirte und Lebensmittelhersteller stellen auf Öko um. Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, Pressemitteilung Nr. 94. https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2023/094­oeko­strukturdaten­2022. html BÖLW (2023): Branchenreport 2023 ­ Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft. Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft e.V., Berlin, 44 p. https://www.boelw.de/fileadmin/user upload/ Dokumente/Zahlen und Fakten/Broschuere 2023/BOELW Branchenreport2023.pdf BVE (2023): Jahresbericht 2022/2023. Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie, 84 p. https://www.bve­online.de/presse/infothek/publikationen­jahresbericht/bve­jahresbericht­ ernaehrungsindustrie­2023 https://web-assets.bcg.com/7a/17/971c6d0e4fcb8067d406b8a9bb4a/die-zukunft-der-deutschen-landwirtschaft-sichern.pdf https://web-assets.bcg.com/7a/17/971c6d0e4fcb8067d406b8a9bb4a/die-zukunft-der-deutschen-landwirtschaft-sichern.pdf https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/ZukunftsstrategieOekologischerLandbau2019.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=5 https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/ZukunftsstrategieOekologischerLandbau2019.pdf? blob=publicationFile&v=5 https://www.bmel-statistik.de/landwirtschaft/landwirtschaftliche-gesamtrechnung/wertschoepfung https://www.bmel-statistik.de/landwirtschaft/landwirtschaftliche-gesamtrechnung/wertschoepfung https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/oeko-barometer-2022.htm https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Broschueren/oeko-barometer-2022.htm https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2023/094-oeko-strukturdaten-2022.html https://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/2023/094-oeko-strukturdaten-2022.html https://www.boelw.de/fileadmin/user upload/Dokumente/Zahlen und Fakten/Broschuere 2023/BOELW Branchenreport2023.pdf https://www.boelw.de/fileadmin/user upload/Dokumente/Zahlen und Fakten/Broschuere 2023/BOELW Branchenreport2023.pdf https://www.bve-online.de/presse/infothek/publikationen-jahresbericht/bve-jahresbericht-ernaehrungsindustrie-2023 https://www.bve-online.de/presse/infothek/publikationen-jahresbericht/bve-jahresbericht-ernaehrungsindustrie-2023 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 86 Campbell BM, Beare DJ, Bennett EM, Hall-Spencer JM, Ingram JSI, Jaramillo F, Ortiz R, Raman- kutty N, Sayer JA, Shindell D (2017): Agriculture production as a major driver of the Earth system exceeding planetary boundaries. Ecology and Society 22(4), 11 p. doi: 10.5751/ES­09595­220408 CBD (1993): Übereinkommen über die biologische Vielfalt (Convention on Biological Diversity). United Nations, 30 p. https://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd­en.pdf Chiriaco MV, Castaldi S, Valentin R (2022): Determining organic versus conventional food emis­ sions to foster the transition to sustainable food systems and diets: Insights from a systematic review. Journal of Cleaner Production 380(2): 134937. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134937 COM (2020a): Mitteilung der Kommission an das Europäische Parlament, den Rat, den Euro­ päischen Wirtschafts­ und Sozialausschuss und den Ausschuss der Regionen EU­Biodiversitäts­ strategie für 2030 ­ Mehr Raum für die Natur in unserem Leben. Europäische Kommision, COM(2020) 380 final. COM (2020b): Mitteilung der Kommission an das Europäische Parlament, den Rat, den Euro­ päischen Wirtschafts­ und Sozialausschuss und den Ausschuss der Regionen „Vom Hof auf den Tisch“ – eine Strategie für ein faires, gesundes und umweltfreundliches Lebensmittelsystem (Farm to Fork Strategy). Europäische Kommision, COM(2020) 381 final. COM (2021): Mitteilung der Kommission an das Europäische Parlament, den Rat, den Euro­ päischen Wirtschafts­ und Sozialausschuss und den Ausschuss der Regionen über einen Aktions­ plan zur Förderung der ökologischen/biologischen Produktion. Europäische Kommision, COM(2021) 141 final. DBV (2023): Situationsbericht 2022/23. Deutscher Bauernverband e. V., Berlin, 44 p. https://magazin.diemayrei.de/storage/media/1ed75fd6­6af3­6bec­b3d0­5254a201e2da/Sit 2023 Kapitel1.pdf De Ponti T, Rijk B, van Ittersum MK (2012): The crop yield gap between organic and conventional agriculture. Agricultural Systems 108: 1–9. Destatis (2022): Dauergrünland nach Art der Nutzung im Zeitvergleich. https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Branchen­Unternehmen/Landwirtschaft­Forstwirtschaft­ Fischerei/Feldfruechte­Gruenland/Tabellen/zeitreihe­dauergruenland­nach­nutzung.html Destatis (2022a): Gemüseerhebung – Anbau und Ernte von Gemüse und Erdbeeren. Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden, Fachserie 3, Reihe 3.1.3. Deutsche Nachhaltigkeitsstrategie (2021): Weiterentwicklung 2021. Die Bundesregierung, 391 p. https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/975274/1873516/9d73d857a3f7f0f8df5ac1b4c­ 349fa07/2021­03­10­dns­2021­finale­langfassung­barrierefrei­data.pdf?download=1 DGE (2022): DGE­Stellungnahme zur Einordnung der Planetary Health Diet ­ Planetary Health Diet und DGE­Empfehlungen haben viele Gemeinsamkeiten – Die Herausforderung bleibt die praktische Umsetzung in der Bevölkerung. https://www.dge.de/presse/meldungen/2022/ dge­stellungnahme­zur­planetary­health­diet/ EEA (2022): Trends and projections in Europe 2022. European Environment Agency, 41 p. doi: 10.2800/16646 https://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd-en.pdf https://magazin.diemayrei.de/storage/media/1ed75fd6-6af3-6bec-b3d0-5254a201e2da/Sit 2023 Kapitel1.pdf https://magazin.diemayrei.de/storage/media/1ed75fd6-6af3-6bec-b3d0-5254a201e2da/Sit 2023 Kapitel1.pdf https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Branchen-Unternehmen/Landwirtschaft-Forstwirtschaft-Fischerei/Feldfruechte-Gruenland/Tabellen/zeitreihe-dauergruenland-nach-nutzung.html https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Branchen-Unternehmen/Landwirtschaft-Forstwirtschaft-Fischerei/Feldfruechte-Gruenland/Tabellen/zeitreihe-dauergruenland-nach-nutzung.html https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/975274/1873516/9d73d857a3f7f0f8df5ac1b4c349fa07/2021-03-10-dns-2021-finale-langfassung-barrierefrei-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/975274/1873516/9d73d857a3f7f0f8df5ac1b4c349fa07/2021-03-10-dns-2021-finale-langfassung-barrierefrei-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.dge.de/presse/meldungen/2022/dge-stellungnahme-zur-planetary-health-diet/ https://www.dge.de/presse/meldungen/2022/dge-stellungnahme-zur-planetary-health-diet/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 87 FAO (2015): The 10 elements of agroecology. Guiding the transition to sustainable food and agricultural systems. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rom, 15 p. https://www.fao.org/3/i9037en/i9037en.pdf FAO (2019): Agroecological and other innovative approaches. HLPE Report 14, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rom, 163 p. https://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ ca5602en.pdf FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO (2021): The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021. Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition, and affordable healthy diets for all. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rom, 240 p. doi: 10.4060/cb4474en Fraser D (2008): Understanding animal welfare. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 50: 1–7. doi: 10.1186/1751­0147­50­S1­S1 GfK (2023): Quo vadis bio? Consumer Index. GfK SE, 12 p. https://www.gfk.com/hubfs/EU%20 2023%20Files/Consumer%20Index/CI 02 2023.pdf GIZ (2020): Agroecology and organic farming. Factsheet, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, Bonn, 2 p. https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2020 en Agroecology­ and­Organic­Agriculture SV%20Nachhaltige%20Landwirtschaft.pdf Gruber N & Galloway JN (2008): An Earth­system perspective of the global nitrogen cycle. Nature 451: 293–296. doi: 10.1038/nature06592 Hendriks S, de Groot Ruiz A, Acosta MA, Baumers H, Galgani P, Mason-D’Croz D, Godde C, Waha K, Kanidou D, von Braun J, Benitez M, Blanke J, Caron P, Fanzo J, Greb F, Haddad L, Herforth A, Jordaan D, Masters W, Sadoff C, Soussana JF, Tirado MC, Torero M, Watkins M (2021): The True Cost and True Price of Food. United Nations Food Systems Summit 2021, https://sc­fss2021.org/wp­content/uploads/2021/06/UNFSS true cost of food.pdf Hülsbergen KJ, Schmid H, Chmelikova L, Rahmann G, Paulsen HM, Köpke U (2023): Umwelt­ und Klimawirkungen des ökologischen Landbaus. 1. Auflage, Weihenstephaner Schriften 16, Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin, 102 p. ISBN 978­3­96831­035­0 Hülsbergen KJ, Schmidt H, Paulsen HM (2022): Steigerung der Ressourceneffizienz durch gesamtbetriebliche Optimierung der Pflanzen­ und Milchproduktion unter Einbindung von Tierwohlaspekten. Untersuchungen in einem Netzwerk von Pilotbetrieben. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Thünen Report 92, 540 p. doi: 10.3220/REP1646034190000 IPBES (2019): Global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Inter­ governmental Science­Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Version 1). IPBES secretariat, Bonn, 1144 p. ISBN 978­3­947851­20­1 IPCC (2014): Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects; Contrib­ ution of Working Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, NY, USA, 1132 p. ISBN 978­1­107­64165­5 IPCC (2022): Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, USA, 3056 p. doi: 10.1017/9781009325844 https://www.fao.org/3/i9037en/i9037en.pdf https://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ca5602en.pdf https://www.fao.org/3/ca5602en/ca5602en.pdf https://www.gfk.com/hubfs/EU%202023%20Files/Consumer%20Index/CI 02 2023.pdf https://www.gfk.com/hubfs/EU%202023%20Files/Consumer%20Index/CI 02 2023.pdf https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2020 en Agroecology-and-Organic-Agriculture SV%20Nachhaltige%20Landwirtschaft.pdf https://www.giz.de/en/downloads/giz2020 en Agroecology-and-Organic-Agriculture SV%20Nachhaltige%20Landwirtschaft.pdf https://sc-fss2021.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/UNFSS true cost of food.pdf%20 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 88 Isermeyer F, Nieberg H, Banse M, Bolte A, Christoph-Schulz IB, Dauber J, Witte T de, Dehler M, Döring R, Elsasser P, Fock HO, Focken U, Freund F, Goti L, Heidecke C, Kempf A, Koch G, Kraus G, Krause A, Kroiher F, Lasner T, Lüdtke J, Olbrich A, Osterburg B, Pelikan J, Probst WN, Rah- mann G, Reiser S, Rock J, Röder N, Rüter S, Sanders J, Stelzenmüller V, Zimmermann C (2020): Auswirkungen aktueller Politikstrategien (Green Deal, Farm­to­Fork, Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030, Aktionsprogramm Insektenschutz) auf Land­ und Forstwirtschaft sowie Fischerei. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Thünen Working Paper 156, 102 p. doi:10.3220/ WP1600775202000 Koalitionsvertrag 2021 – 2025 zwischen der Sozialdemokratischen Partei Deutschlands (SPD), Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen und den Freien Demokraten (FDP) (2021): Mehr Fortschritt wagen – Bündnis für Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit. Bundesregierung, 178 p. https://www. bundesregierung.de/breg­de/service/gesetzesvorhaben/koalitionsvertrag­2021­1990800 Kuhnert H & Devries U (2023): Flächenbezogene Förderung des ökologischen Landbaus in Deutschland im Rahmen der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik (GAP) in der Förderperiode 2023 bis 2027. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, 28 p. https://www.thuenen.de/media/ ti­themenfelder/Oekologischer Landbau/Die Entwicklung der deutschen Oekobranche/ Flaechenbezogene Foerderung des oekologischen Landbaus/2023 Flaechenbezogene­ Foerderung­OEkolandbau­D­2023­2027 2023 06 14.pdf Kuhnert H & Offermann F (2023): Analyse der wirtschaftlichen Lage ökologisch wirtschaftender Betriebe im Wirtschaftsjahr 2021/22. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, 7 p. https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib extern/dn066239.pdf Lampkin N & Sanders J (2022): Policy support for organic farming in the European Union 2010­ 2020. Thünen Working Paper 200, Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, 133 p. doi: 10.3220/WP1663067402000 Lampkin N (2023): National CAP Strategic Plans – A Big Step on the Road to 25% Organic. Organ­ icTargets4EU. https://www.organictargets.eu/post/national­cap­strategic­plans­a­big­step­on­ the­road­to­25­organic Land-Data (2023): Branchenvergleich 21/22: Vergleich ökologischer mit konventioneller Bewirtschaftung. LAND­DATA GmbH, Visselhövede. https://www.landdata.de/neuigkeiten/ landwirtschaftlicher­branchenvergleich­2020­21 Mäder P, Fliessbach A, Dubois D, Gunst L, Fried P, Niggli U (2002): Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming. Science 296(5573): 1694–1697. March S, Haager D, Brinkmann J (2019): Tierwohl. In: Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Thünen Report 65: 248–288. doi: 10.3220/REP1547040572000 Nieberg H, Kuhnert H, Sanders J (2011): Förderung des ökologischen Landbaus in Deutschland – Stand, Entwicklung und internationale Perspektive. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Landbauforschung, Sonderheft Nr. 347. Okolie CC, Danso-Abbeam G, Groupson-Paul O, Ogundeji AA (2023): Climate­Smart Agriculture Amidst Climate Change to Enhance Agricultural Production: A Bibliometric Analysis. Land 12(1): 50. doi: 10.3390/land12010050 https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/service/gesetzesvorhaben/koalitionsvertrag-2021-1990800 https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/service/gesetzesvorhaben/koalitionsvertrag-2021-1990800 https://www.thuenen.de/media/ti-themenfelder/Oekologischer Landbau/Die Entwicklung der deutschen Oekobranche/Flaechenbezogene Foerderung des oekologischen Landbaus/2023 Flaechenbezogene-Foerderung-OEkolandbau-D-2023-2027 2023 06 14.pdf https://www.thuenen.de/media/ti-themenfelder/Oekologischer Landbau/Die Entwicklung der deutschen Oekobranche/Flaechenbezogene Foerderung des oekologischen Landbaus/2023 Flaechenbezogene-Foerderung-OEkolandbau-D-2023-2027 2023 06 14.pdf https://www.thuenen.de/media/ti-themenfelder/Oekologischer Landbau/Die Entwicklung der deutschen Oekobranche/Flaechenbezogene Foerderung des oekologischen Landbaus/2023 Flaechenbezogene-Foerderung-OEkolandbau-D-2023-2027 2023 06 14.pdf https://www.thuenen.de/media/ti-themenfelder/Oekologischer Landbau/Die Entwicklung der deutschen Oekobranche/Flaechenbezogene Foerderung des oekologischen Landbaus/2023 Flaechenbezogene-Foerderung-OEkolandbau-D-2023-2027 2023 06 14.pdf https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib extern/dn066239.pdf%20 https://www.organictargets.eu/post/national-cap-strategic-plans-a-big-step-on-the-road-to-25-organic https://www.organictargets.eu/post/national-cap-strategic-plans-a-big-step-on-the-road-to-25-organic https://www.landdata.de/neuigkeiten/landwirtschaftlicher-branchenvergleich-2020-21 https://www.landdata.de/neuigkeiten/landwirtschaftlicher-branchenvergleich-2020-21 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 89 Osterburg B & Zander K (2004): Regionale Strukturen des ökologischen Landbaus in Deutschland. Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft, Braunschweig, Arbeitsberichte des Bereichs Agrarökonomie, 81 p. Pfefferle H, Hagspihl S, Clausen K (2021): Gemeinschaftsverpflegung in Deutschland – Stellenw­ ert und Strukturen. Ernährungs Umschau 8: M470­M483. doi: 10.4455/eu.2021.034 Ponisio LC, M’Gonigle LK, Mace KC, Palomino J, de Valpine P, Kremen C (2015): Diversification practices reduce organic to conventional yield gap. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 282(1799): 20141396. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2014.1396 Rahmann G, Ardakani MR, Bàrberi P, Boehm H, Canali S, Chander M, David M, Dengel L, Er- isman JW, Galvis-Martinez AC, Hamm U, Kahl J, Köpke U, Kühne S, Lee SB, Løes AK, Moos JH, Neuhoff D, Nuutila JT, Oppermann R, Rembiałkowska E, Riddle J, Rasmussen IA, Shade J, Sohn SM, Tadesse M, Tashi S, Thatcher A, Uddin N, von Fragstein und Niemsdorff P, Wibe A, Wivstad M, Wenliang W, Zanoli R (2017): Organic Agriculture 3.0 is innovation with research. Org. Agr. 7(3): 169–197. doi: 10.1007/s13165­016­0171­5 Richardson K, Steffen W, Lucht W, Bendtsen J, Cornell SE, Donges JF, Drüke M, Fetzer I, Bala G, von Bloh W, Feulner G, Fiedler S, Gerten D, Gleeson T, Hofmann M, Huiskamp W, Kummu M, Mohan C, Nogués-Bravo D, Petri S, Porkka M, Rahmstorf S, Schaphoff S, Thonicke K, Tobian A, Virkki V, Wang-Erlandsson L, Weber L, Rockström J (2023): Earth beyond six of nine planetary boundaries. Science Advances 9(37), doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adh2458 Risius A, Bendix R, Wiemer M, Grieshop C (2023): Authentizität und Vertrauen bei Bio­Lebens­ mitteln: Innovative Kommunikationsansätze entlang der Produktkette und in der Gesellschaft. https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/36597/ Rockström J, Steffen W, Noone K, Persson Å, Chapin III FS, Lambin EF, Lenton TM, Scheffer M, Folke C, Schellnhuber HJ, Nykvist B, de Wit CA, Hughes T, van der Leeuw S, Rodhe H, Sörlin S, Snyder PK, Costanza R, Svedin U, Falkenmark M, Karlberg L, Corell RW, Fabry VJ, Hansen J, Walker B, Liverman D, Richardson K, Crutzen P, Foley JA (2009): A safe operating space for humanity. Nature 461: 472–475. doi: 10.1038/461472a Sanders J & Heß J (2019): Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Thünen Report 65, 398 p. doi: 10.3220/ REP1576488624000 Sanders J, Lampkin N, Liebl B (2020): Schlussbericht zum Thema: Bilanz und Impulse zur Weiter­ entwicklung der Zukunftsstrategie ökologischer Landbau. Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Bonn, 34 p. https://literatur.thuenen.de/digbib extern/dn063159.pdf Schulze-Pals L (1994): Ökonomische Analyse der Umstellung auf ökologischen Landbau. Schrif­ tenreihe des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Forsten, Reihe A: Ange­ wandte Wissenschaft, Heft 436. Seufert V, Ramankutty N, Foley JA (2012): Comparing the yields of organic and conventional agriculture. Nature 485: 229–232. doi: 10.1038/nature11069 Steffen W, Richardson K, Rockström J, Cornell SE, Fetzer I, Bennett EM, Biggs R, Carpenter SR, de Vries W, de Wit CA, Folke C, Gerten D, Heinke J, Mace GM, Persson LM, Ramanathan V, Rey- ers B, Sörlin S (2015): Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet. Science 347(6223): 1259855. doi: 10.1126/science.1259855 https://orgprints.org/id/eprint/36597/ 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 90 Taube F & Verreet JA (2006): Endbericht: COMPASS – Vergleichende Analyse der pflanzlichen Produktion auf ökologischen und konventionellen Praxisbetrieben in Schleswig­Holstein. Chris­ tian­Albrechts­Universität zu Kiel, 161 p. https://www.grassland­organicfarming.uni­kiel.de/de/pdf/COMPASS%20Endbericht.pdf Thimm C (2022): Vor allem eine Frage des Standortes. DLG­Nachrichten 1/2022: 58–61. Thünen-Institut (2023): Darstellungen wurden vom Thünen­Institut für die Bio­Strategie 2030 erstellt. ÜvP (2015): Übereinkommen von Paris, United Nations. https://eur­lex.europa.eu/legal­content/ DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:22016A1019(01) UN (2012): Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/ UNCCD (1992): Konvention der Vereinten Nationen zur Bekämpfung der Desertifikation in den von Dürre und/oder Desertifikation schwer betroffenen Ländern, insbesondere in Afrika. Sek­ retariat der Konvention der Vereinten Nationen zur Bekämpfung der Desertifikation, Bonn, 97 p. ISBN 978­92­95043­34­3 UNESCO (1971): Man and the Biosphere Programme. United Nations Education, Culture and Science. https://en.unesco.org/mab UNESCO (2016): Lima Action Plan for UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2016–2025). UNESCO, Paris. Wachendorf M, Bürkert A, Grass R (2022): Ökologische Landwirtschaft. Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart, 2. Auflage, 376 p. ISBN 978­3­8252­5527­5 Wang-Erlandsson L, Tobian A, van der Ent RJ, Fetzer I, te Wierik S, Porkka M, Staal A, Jaramillo F, Dahlmann H, Singh C, Greve P, Gerten D, Keys PW, Gleeson T, Cornell SE, Steffen W, Bai X, Rockström J (2022): A planetary boundary for green water. Nature Reviews Earth & Environment 3: 380–392. doi: 10.1038/s43017­022­00287­8 WBAE (2019): Zur effektiven Gestaltung der Agrarumwelt­ und Klimaschutzpolitik im Rahmen der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik der EU nach 2020. Stellungnahme des Wissenschaftlichen Beirats für Agrarpolitik, Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz beim BMEL, Berlin, 113 p. https://www.bmel.de/DE/ministerium/organisation/beiraete/agr­veroeffentlichungen.html WBAE (2020): Politik für eine nachhaltigere Ernährung. Gutachten des Wissenschaftlichen Beirats für Agrarpolitik, Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz beim BMEL, Berlin, 897 p. https://www.bmel.de/DE/ministerium/organisation/beiraete/agr­veroeffentlichungen.html Weckenbrock P, Sanchez-Gellert HL und Gattinger A (2019): Klimaschutz. In: Sanders J, Heß J: Leistungen des ökologischen Landbaus für Umwelt und Gesellschaft. Johann Heinrich von Thünen­Institut, Braunschweig, Thünen Report 65, 398 p. doi: 10.3220/REP1576488624000 Wegner C (2021): Ergebnisse der Landessortenversuche – Blaue und Weiße Lupine. Vortrag Jahre­ stagung der Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Lupine e. V. https://lupinenverein.de/wp­content/ uploads/2021/04/2 Wegner Sortenversuche JT21.pdf https://www.grassland-organicfarming.uni-kiel.de/de/pdf/COMPASS%20Endbericht.pdf https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:22016A1019(01) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/?uri=CELEX:22016A1019(01) https://sdgs.un.org/ https://www.bmel.de/DE/ministerium/organisation/beiraete/agr-veroeffentlichungen.html https://www.bmel.de/DE/ministerium/organisation/beiraete/agr-veroeffentlichungen.html https://lupinenverein.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2 Wegner Sortenversuche JT21.pdf https://lupinenverein.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2 Wegner Sortenversuche JT21.pdf 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 91 Willer H, Schlatter B, Trávníček J (2023): The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerg­ ing Trends 2023. FiBL, IFOAM Organics International, 358 p. https://www.organic­world.net/ yearbook/yearbook­2023.html Willett W, Rockström J, Loken B, Springmann M, Lang T, Vermeulen S, Garnett T, Tilman D, DeClerck F, Wood A, Jonell M, Clark M, Gordon LJ, Fanzo J, Hawkes C, Zurayk R, Rivera JA, De Vries W, Majele Sibanda L, Afshin A, Chaudhary A, Herrero M, Agustina R, Branca F, Lartey A, Fan S, Crona B, Fox E, Bignet V, Troell M, Lindahl T, Singh S, Cornell SE, Reddy KS, Narain S, Nishtar S, Murray CJL (2019): Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT­Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. Lancet 393: 447–92. doi: 10.1016/S0140­6736(18)31788­4 Wissenschaftsrat (2023): Perspektiven der Agrar­ und Ernährungswissenschaften. Positionspapi­ er, Köln, 70 p. doi: doi.org/10.57674/vzz6­sw54 ZKL (2021): Zukunft Landwirtschaft – eine gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe. Empfehlungen der Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft, Berlin, 160 p. https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/ blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021­07­06­zukunftskommission­ landwirtschaft­data.pdf?download=1 Zühlsdorf A, Kühl S, Radda D, Spiller A (2023): Grüne Marketingclaims auf Lebensmitteln: Verbraucherstudie zum Verständnis von umwelt­ und klimabezogenen Werbeaussagen. Ver­ braucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V., Göttingen, 58 p. https://www.vzbv.de/sites/default/ files/2023­03/22­01­15 Gr%C3%BCne­Marketingclaims.pdf All internet addresses given here were last accessed on 15 December 2023. https://www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2023.html https://www.organic-world.net/yearbook/yearbook-2023.html https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/997532/1939908/7f01d1f39e6d5885c144e51051f6508f/2021-07-06-zukunftskommission-landwirtschaft-data.pdf?download=1 https://www.vzbv.de/sites/default/files/2023-03/22-01-15 Gr%25C3%25BCne-Marketingclaims.pdf https://www.vzbv.de/sites/default/files/2023-03/22-01-15 Gr%25C3%25BCne-Marketingclaims.pdf 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 92 List of Figures Table 1 Services to society provided by organic farming compared to conventional agriculture 23 Table 2 Average yields in organic arable farming compared with conventional management (crop year of 2019, German test farm network) 24 Figure 1: Annual increase in the area under organic management in Germany until 2022 and scenarios of the potential increase to achieve the 25 percent target of the EU and the 30 percent target of the Federal Government by 2030 14 Figure 2: Action Areas 18 Figure 3: Planetary boundaries 21 Figure 4: Costs incurred by society arising from the German agricultural sector 22 Figure 5: Share of total agricultural land under organic management in 2022 according to Laender; city­states 19.3 % 27 Figure 6: Profits plus labour costs per worker of organic and comparable farms, broken down by farm type in the 2021/22 economic year 30 Figure 7: Revenue and revenue percentages for organically produced foods in Germany according to sales levels excluding away­from­home catering (in billion euros) 31 Figure 8: National organic area targets of the EU member states and year of the planned achievement, broken down into land categories 35 Figure 9: The bronze (20%­49% of organic products), silver (50%­89% organic products) and gold (90%­100% organic products) organic away­from­home catering labels 62 Figure 10: Presentation of the main research areas on the further development of the organic sector for a transformation of the agri­food system 66 List of Tables 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 93 AHV Außer­Haus­Verpflegung (away­from­home consumption) BCG Boston Consulting Group BeschA Procurement office of the Federal German Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) BGBl. Federal Law Gazette Bio-AHVV Bio­Außer­Haus­Verpflegung­Verordnung (Organic Away­from­Home Catering Ordinance) BLE Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (Federal Office for Agriculture and Food) BMEL Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) BMI Bundesministerium des Inneren und für Heimat (Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community) BMUV Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Ver­ braucherschutz (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) BMZ Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) BÖL Federal Organic Farming Scheme BÖLW German Organic Food Industry Federation BZL Federal Information Centre Agriculture (Bundesinformationszentrum Landwirtschaft) ca. circa CO2 Carbon dioxide COM European Commission dar. darunter (among) DGE Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e. V. (German Nutrition Society) EC European Community EAGF European Agricultural Guarantee Fund EAFRD European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development List of abbreviations 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 94 ER Ernährungsregionen (Food regions) EU European Union e. V. eingetragener Verein EEC European Economic Community FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GAK Gemeinschaftsaufgabe zur Verbesserung der Agrarstruktur und des Küstenschutzes (Joint Task “Improvement of Agricultural Structure and Coastal Protection”) CAP Common Agricultural Policy GRW Joint Task for the Improvement of the Regional Economic Structure ha hectare HLPE High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements InVeKoS Integriertes Verwaltungs­ und Kontrollsystem (Integrated Administration and Control System) LF landwirtschaftlich genutzte Fläche (agriculturally used area) LN landwirtschaftliche Nutzfläche (agricultural land) Mio. Million, “mn” for “million” Mrd. Milliarden, “bn” for “billion” NFDI Nationale Forschungsdateninfrastruktur e. V. (National Research Data Infrastructure) ÖMR Öko­Modellregionen (Organic model regions) PCS Protein crops strategy RIBE-AHV Richtlinie zur Förderung der Beratung von Unternehmen der Außer­Haus­Ver­ pflegung zum vermehrten Einsatz von Produkten des ökologischen Landbaus (Guidelines on Promoting the Counselling of Away­From­Home Catering Com­ panies on the Increased Use of Organically Farmed Products) SMEs Small and medium­sized enterprises s. a. see also u. a. unter anderem, “a.o.” for “among others” UNFSS UN Food Systems Summit 2030 ORGANIC STRATEGY 95 ÜvP Übereinkommen von Paris (Paris Agreement) WBAE Wissenschaftlicher Beirat für Agrarpolitik, Ernährung und gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz (Scientific Advisory Board on Agricultural Policy, Food and Consumer Health Protection) WSKM Wertschöpfungsketten­Manager (Value Chain Manager) z. B. zum Beispiel, “e.g.” for “for example” ZKL Zukunftskommission Landwirtschaft (Commission on the Future of Agriculture) ZöL Zukunftsstrategie ökologischer Landbau (Strategy for the Future of Organic Farming) PUBLISHED BY Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) Division 712 a – Organic Food Sector – General and Policy Matters, Strategies, Support; National Protein Crop Strategy Wilhelmstrasse 54 10117 Berlin Germany 712a@bmel.bund.de AS OF January 2024 TEXT BMEL LAYOUT Serviceplan Make GmbH & Co. KG, Munich, Germany PRINT MKL Druck GmbH & Co. KG, Ostbevern, Germany ORDERING DETAILS You can order this and other publications free of charge at: https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/ Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular. html?view=processForm&nn=42908publikationen@ bundesregierung.de Phone: +49 (0) 30 18 272 2721 Fax: +49 (0) 30 1810 272 2721 In writing: Publikationsversand der Bundesregierung PO box 48 10 09 | 18132 Rostock Ordering via the sign language phone: gebaerdentelefon@sip.bundesregierung.de This publication is issued by the BMEL free of charge. It is not intended for sale. It may not be used by political parties or groups during an election campaign. PHOTO CREDITS Front page: Simple Line (3), Yana (3), Candra, derplan13, GarkushaArt, MuhammadZulfan, RM Design, Sell Vector, Екатерина Заносиенко/ stock.adobe.com; p. 3: BMEL/Photothek/ Janine Schmitz; p. 8: somegirl/stock.adobe.com; p. 10: fotogestoeber/stock.adobe.com; p. 12: Kannapat/stock.adobe.com; p. 13: Friedberg/stock. adobe.com; p. 15: BMEL 2023 (both); p. 18: Pcess609/stock.adobe.com; p. 20: meteo021/stock. adobe.com; p. 25: Friedberg/stock.adobe.com; p. 26: Viktor Iden/stock.adobe.com; p. 28: eric/stock. adobe.com; p. 32: BMEL 2023; p. 34: Christian Schwier/stock.adobe.com; p. 36: dave timms/stock. adobe.com; p. 37: Meike Siebel/Chamber of Agriculture NRW; p. 38: Chalermphon/stock.adobe. com; p. 41: Monopoly919/stock.adobe.com; p. 43: © Herwart Böhm/Thünen Institute; p. 45: Jürgen Fälchle/stock.adobe.com; p. 47: © Renger/ Thünen-Institut; p. 48: Jürgen Nickel/stock.adobe. com; p. 50: Tom/stock.adobe.com; p. 52: Drobot Dean/stock.adobe.com; p. 53: Marco2811/stock. adobe.com; p. 55: auremar/stock.adobe.com; p. 57: Natalia Lisovskaya/stock.adobe.com; p. 58: BMEL 2023; p. 59: © Gerhard Seybert/stock.adobe.com; p. 60: Dinah Hoffmann/Kantine Zukunft; p. 63: Anna Stills/stock.adobe.com; p. 64: Joanna Nottebrock/ Kantine Zukunft; p. 67: William/stock.adobe.com; p. 68: © Thünen Institute/OL; p. 70: Leon Weber/ ÖFT 2022; p. 72: S. Feiertag/Julius Kühn Institute; p. 73: BLE/Julian Körver; p. 74: Gorodenkoff/stock. adobe.com; p. 77: Photochowk/stock.adobe.com; p. 79: © Herwart Böhm/Thünen Institute; p. 81: ugiss/stock.adobe.com; p. 82: Aleksandr Rybalko/ stock.adobe.com; p. 84: pisotckii/stock.adobe.com; p. 95: BMEL/Anika Mester For further information, please visit www.bmel.de/en www.bmel.de/EN/services/social­media­apps­rss/social­media­apps­rss node.html The publication can be downloaded from the BMEL website: https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/ Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908 mailto:712a%40bmel.bund.de%20?subject= https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908publikationen@bundesregierung.de https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908publikationen@bundesregierung.de https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908publikationen@bundesregierung.de https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908publikationen@bundesregierung.de mailto:gebaerdentelefon%40sip.bundesregierung.de%20?subject= https://www.bmel.de/en https://www.bmel.de/EN/services/social-media-apps-rss/social-media-apps-rss node.html https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908 https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908 https://www.bmel.de/SiteGlobals/Forms/Suche/EN/Publicationssearch/Publicationssearch Formular.html?view=processForm&nn=42908 2030 Organic Strategy Preface Contents 1 Introduction 2 The development, aims and content of the 2030 Organic Strategy 2.1 The Strategy for the Future ofOrganic Farming and its evolution 2.2 What process was used to developthe Strategy? 2.3 What are the main points in the 2030 Organic Strategy? 2.4 How will the measures be implemented? 2.5 What further steps are planned? 3 Main features of the 2030 Organic Strategy 3.1 Global challenges 3.2 State of knowledge regarding the social and environmental benefits of organic farming 3.3 State of knowledge regarding the economic viability of organic farming and its contribution to food security 4 Status quo of the organic agri-food sector 4.1 Development of organic farming 4.2 Income situation of organic farms 4.3 Development of the organic market 4.4 Funding framework for organic farming 5 Action areas and measures 5.1 Action Area 1: Input markets 5.2 Action Area 2: Production 5.3 Action Area 3: Processing and trade 5.4 Action Area 4: Diet and society 5.5 Action Area 5: Research, knowledge transfer, data availability and infrastructure 5.6 Action Area 6: A coherent legal and support framework 6 References References List of Figures List of Tables List of abbreviations PUBLISHED BY AS OF TEXT LAYOUT PRINT ORDERING DETAILS PHOTO CREDITS