Organic produce on the wane

9 February 2005

BRUSSELS – Organic food is fast losing its popularity among Belgian farmers, it emerged on Wednesday.

In Flanders, both the number and the area of organic plantations have been decreasing for the last three years, Belgian broadcaster RTBF reported on its website Wednesday.

They only make up half a percent of farms – a long way off the Agricultural Minister’s aim of 10 percent.

It was at the height of the dioxin crisis in Belgium in 1999 that the government started to champion organic produce.

However, it seems as if high farming expenditure and tight regulations have made growing organic crops unattractive.

In Wallonia, organic produce is faring slightly better with 2.7 percent of agricultural fields devoted to it – a figure which seems to be stable.

Experts say going organic is not a quick process for farmers and organic champions say farmers should share their advice and experience with other farmers.

Subject: Belgian news