1. Organic farming in the Czech Republic
Mgr. Karolína Dytrtová
Institute for Ecological Agriculture and Sustainable Landscape Management

2. Czech Republic Central Europe area 78 866 km² (water 2%)
population
continental climate
temperature differences
3.1 million ha of arable land
share of workers in the primary economic sector (agriculture, forestry and fishery) – 4,3%

3. Agriculture mountain and submountain area
with forests and permanent grasslands
Livestock production: mainly cattle (for milk and meat), as well as pigs and poultry. There is a very large network of breeding ponds with carp production – carp is a traditional Czech Christmas Eve dish.

4. Agriculture
lowlands with arable land

5. Main crops
all main kinds of grain (wheat, barley, rye, oat and corn), white beet for sugar production, potatoes, rape, poppy,  hops …..

6. Conventional agriculture – high inputs

7. History and Development of Organic Agriculture
started in 1989 with 2 organic farms
1989 to 2002 there was a strong growth of the organic land
1990: 4 organic farmers' associations were founded
Ministry of Agriculture supported all new organic farmers through direct subsidies per hectare.
1993 :first regulation on organic agriculture, and the certification and control system was started +
organic sector decided to have common "BIO" logo.
2000: first national organic legislation
2000: CR on the list of third countries
2004: Action plam for OF to 2010
2006: rapid grow – agro-envi subsidy

8. Organic Statistics No. of organic farmers: 1776, this year 448
Organic land area: 7,84% of total agricultural area (the aim is 10% by 2010)
No. of manufacturers: 375
No. of organic food products: app
60% imported

9. Structure of organically farmed land area

10. The size of organic enterprises in the Czech Rep.

11. Regions of the Czech Republic

12. Number of organic farms and % share in regions

13. Organic farm area and % share in regions

14. Employment at organic enterprises

17. RDP support Preferential point allowance for OF
Axis I – Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural and forestry sector
I.1.1 Modernization of agricultural holdings
I.1.3 Adding value to agricultural and food products
I.3.2 Setting up of young farmers
Axis III – The quality of life in rural areas and diversification of the rural economy
III.1.1. Diversification into non-agricultural activities
III. 1.3 Encouragement of tourism activities
Preferential point allowance for OF

18. Legislation applicable to organic farming
Council Regulation (EC)
No .834/2007
National legislation - Act No. 242/2000 Coll.
Private standards:
Production Directive of the PRO-BIO Association

19. Control bodies and certification
3 Independent Certification and control bodies

20. Organic Food Consumption
0,2% of total food consumption*
€ 1.75 per person/year
Mainly in large and middle size cities
Women with higher education,
aged 25 – 44
3% consumers buy OF regularly
26% buy occasionally
54% know organic food label
* Source Green marketing