Organic Consumers Opinions about New Types of Recirculation in Organic Production

Summary

If organic agricultural production is to be increased and conventional manure use reduced, it is necessary to find alternative fertilizer inputs to use i.e. recycled household waste compost, sewage bio-solids and potential industrial resources. This might also fit well with a desire to be part of the emerging circular economy. However, how will this type of recycling impact the credibility of organic agriculture in the eyes of consumers? Answering this question is the overriding aim of this qualitative study conducted by The Danish Agriculture and Food Council.
The qualitative study explores beliefs and attitudes among a specific target group, 20 consumers who (by their own account) either ’often’ or ’always’ buy organic food and beverages – in this analysis referred to as ‘organic consumers’. The qualitative study is part of a large project in corporation with scientists at the University of Copenhagen, funded partly by the Green Development and Demonstration Programme (GUDP), a fund under the Danish Ministry of Environment. The study will be followed by a large, representative quantitative study among Danish consumers conducted by scientists at the University of Copenhagen. Findings in this qualitative analysis should, therefore, be seen as indicative, awaiting further studies.