Organic farming is a sustainable form of agriculture which seeks to provide the consumer, with fresh, tasty and healthy natural food while respecting natural life-cycle systems.
The aim of organic production is to produce food using natural substances and processes which place a strong emphasis on environmental protection, animal welfare with consumers confident in their purchase carrying the EU organic logo. The organic logo can only be used on products that have been certified as organic by an official certification body and/or authority.
Organic Farming is characterized by crop rotation, very strict limits on chemical synthetic pesticide and synthetic fertiliser use, livestock antibiotics, food additives and processing aids and absolute prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms.
High levels of animal welfare is a must, livestock are raised in free-range, open-air systems and providing them with organic feed using animal husbandry practices appropriate to different livestock species.
Organic farming is part of a larger supply chain, which encompasses food processing, distribution and retailing sectors and, ultimately the consumer. So every time you buy an organic salad from your local supermarket, or choose an organic wine from the menu at your favourite restaurant, you can be sure these were produced according to strict rules aimed at respecting the environment and animals.
The organic sector is seen as pivotal for the future of farming so as to ensure sustainable farming practices, healthier foods, internationally recognised traceability systems as well as helping to address ever increasing market demands consequently making Organic production a key part of the European Green deal policy objectives.
Our Role:
The Agriculture Directorate’s role is to serve as the Competent Authority responsible for the implementation of the organic production and labelling regulations and to set up and implement a national legislative framework ensuring that operators dealing with organic products are certified and adhere with the required provisions.
It also aims to:
- Promote and increase awareness of organic farming in the Maltese Islands.
- Develop a sustainable agriculture system that can guarantee adequate food production in the foreseeable future
- Create a set-up where organic farming can become feasible.
- Liaise and comply with the European Commission regulations.
- Inform and aid organic producers.
- Perform regular spot checks through market surveillance.
- Perform auditing controls on the control authority and the control body.
- Authorise the importation of organic products from third countries.
- Grow experimental organic crops at the Government Farm.
- Keep statistical data as required and send such relevant information to the European Commission.
EU Organic Logo
Additional
information:
Organic Information Sessions
Contacts:
For further information kindly contact the Agriculture Directorate via email on