Ausstieg aus der zertifiziert ökologischen Landwirtschaft in Norwegen – Motivation und anschließende Wirtschaftsweise

Summary

From 2002 to 2006, 7 % of the certified organic farmers in Norway opted out. A
combination of a qualitative and quantitative approach was used to explore how many
farmers consider to opt out, their reasons for this, and how close to or far from the
organic principles they plan to manage the farm afterwards. 24 % of the certified
organic farms consider to opt out in the next 5 to 10 years. The main reasons were
frustration about certification, too low subsidies and premium prices, and unpredictable
political frame conditions. Most plan to change to conventional farming, but
more than 25 % plan to practice close to organic standards, with no or little use of
pesticides and artificial fertilizers. These farmers sell about 25 % of their produce
directly to consumers. Farmers opting out seem to be influenced by the organic
principles, and it would be misleading to call the process “re-conversion”, which
implies a transition to conventional farming.