FederBio, in collaboration with FiBL, Swiss institute leader in research and consultancy on organic farming, launches the Italian Input List. A database online where to check the 'technical means' allowed inorganic farming in Italy.
From fertilizers to additives, the 'technical means' allowed in organic farming
The technical means (or inputs) are those materials used in crops, livestock and organic food production. Namely fertilizers, soil improvers, substrates, plant protection products, detergents and disinfectants, raw materials and feed additives, processing aids.
All inputs must comply with the list established in Annex to Regulation EC 889/08 and the standards shared between FederBio and FiBL. These have been developed with contributions from an advisory committee composed of representatives from research institutes (IBIMET-CNR, CREA, Fondazione MACH, IAMB, University of Cagliari, and Laimburg), operators' organizations, and certification bodies adhering to FederBio.
Italian Input List, the reference database
The database of the inputs allowed in organic productions is a very useful tool for organic operators. To verify the actual possibility of using materials presented as suitable for such productions. With the aim of preventing contamination from unauthorized substances not declared on product labels, such as phosphites and matrine.
The detection of even traces of forbidden substances in organic foods can indeed cause serious damage even to operators acting in good faith. Causing the automatic downgrade of productions from organic to conventional. Besides jeopardizing consumer trust in the entire sector.
‘Organic farming It is the most controlled form of agriculture https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/controlli-bio-in-italia-l-abc-e-i-dati and certified in Europe. Equal clarity, rigor and correct certification schemes for plant protection products and fertilizers are needed, currently the only sector of the organic supply chain that is not certified. This is why this platform revolutionizes the sector through reliable lists of technical means supervised by FiBL’ (Enrico Maria Casarotti, delegate for plant protection products at the Presidency Office of FederBio).
The European network of inputs allowed in organic farming
The Italian database flows into the European Input List, to which the national platforms of the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Croatia already participate. The European archive collects both European requirements and those defined at national level. With possible additional criteria for the use of inputs formulated according to the specific needs of organic farming in different geographical areas.
The Italian Input List, already online, is open to product registration by manufacturers. Starting from February 2020, the archive will be consultable through specific substance search indices.
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of investigative journalism on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
