European Regulation on organic agriculture

The initial format and content of the Regulation 2092/91 published in 1991 was developed over two years and set out timetables and stmctures for review and allowed for amendments. The Regulation covered only unprocessed and processed crop products initially and left a number of areas open for addition and review, most notably the detailed rules on imports and those covering livestock. Both topics have been subjected to much discussion throughout the 1990s (see below). The guidelines for wild crop products and mushroom production were added later. 

The rationale for the Regulation is set out in the recitals of 2092/91 at the beginning. At the risk of some inaccuracy, the authors have avoided the legal language of the Regulation and tried to summarise the intention of the text for clarity. It recognised  

The Regulation (Annex III) set out a minimum frequency of on-site (farm, factory premises or warehouse) inspections of one per year and specified the information that was to be retained by the operator and verified by the inspection body to determine compliance. In some instances the level of record-keeping was increased from the previous voluntary systems in place and some operators have complained at the additional burden this imposes. The burden was felt most by small growers, and this, along with the increasing cost of certification, has led to many small enterprises leaving the certification system. 

Unprocessed agricultural crop products - unprocessed animal products when rules introduced - processed foods -animal rules published July 1999, becoming law in August 2000 

Other rules apply 2092/91 must be applied in addition to other Community rules 

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