EU financed research

The European Union is financing research concerning environment, food safety, and animal health etc. This includes research in sustainable and organic farming. DARCOF are participating in a number of these project:

CORE Organic is a transnational initiative to enhance quality, relevance and resource utilisation in organic food and farming research. The project is initiated as a part of the European ERA-NET Scheme, and so far it comprises 11 countries. Activities include coordination and evaluation of existing research, integration of knowledge and information, and identification and coordination of future research.

QualityLowInputFood is a so-called integrated project initiated within the sixth framework programme. The goal of the project is to improve quality, food safety and reduce costs in organic and "low input" food production systems. The project began on the 1'st of March 2004, and it involves 31 European partners within different research disciplines.

Organic-revision also started in March 2004. The overall objective of this research project is to provide recommendations for development of the EU regulation for organic agriculture.

Organic Inputs Evaluation was begun in 2003. It has the purpose to come up with recommendations for harmonized and standardised procedures for evaluation of plant protection products, fertilizers and soil conditioners for use in organic agriculture.

EISfOM is an integrated project with the aim to build up a framework for reporting valid and reliable data for relevant production and market data about the European organic sector

SAFO is also an integrated project. It has the objective to improve food safety and sustaining animal health in organic farming. This is done among other things through establishment of a network for exchange and discussion of research.