Fostering healthy food systems through organic agriculture - Focus on Nordic-Baltic Region
International Scientific Conference
25-27 August 2009 Estonia
25-27 August 2009 Estonia
Organic agriculture is growing at a high rate worldwide as well as in Nordic and Baltic countries. Demand for organic products is increasing because of consumers' concern about their health and the environment.
The Baltic and Nordic countries share many similarities when it comes to climate and growing conditions; however, they are very different when it comes to markets and structure of agriculture.
At this conference we wanted to share experiences of different countries and find solutions for the challenges the organic food systems face – from farm to fork.
The main topics of the conference were:
The Baltic and Nordic countries share many similarities when it comes to climate and growing conditions; however, they are very different when it comes to markets and structure of agriculture.
At this conference we wanted to share experiences of different countries and find solutions for the challenges the organic food systems face – from farm to fork.
The main topics of the conference were:
- Plant production – crop rotation, fertilisers and cultivars, weed and pest management
- Organic farming and environment
- Animal health and husbandry
- Food quality and human health
- Socio-economical and political issues
The papers were published in a special issue of the scientific journal Agronomy Research.
Keynote speakers of the conference:
- Prof. Ewa Rembialkowska, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
- Prof. Carlo Leifert, University of Newcastle, United Kingdom
- Dr. Urs Niggli, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland
- Dr. Niels Halberg, International Centre for Research in Organic Food Systems (ICROFS), Denmark
- Dr. Mette Vaarst, University of Aarhus, Denmark
First scientific conference on organic agriculture in Estonia was organized by Estonian University of Life Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture of the republic of Estonia, Estonian Organic Farming Foundation and Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists.