The implementation of organic principles and values in the European Regulation for organic food

Summary

The paper is based on selected findings of the Research project EEC 2092/91 (Organic) Revision. It contributes to an improved understanding of the core ethical values associated with and principles of organic farming, analyses reference to such values in the European Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 and its ongoing revision, and contrasts them with current practice of organic agriculture. An analysis of differences in the implementation of the Regulation by national governments and private standards is presented. Ethical values are per se in need of interpretation, so the final section sets out procedural issues arguing for a deliberative model of decision-making, when aiming to achieve a coherent integration in the structure of a regulation.