OrganikizBiz

Author name: Faruk Işıldak

Practical information

Plant Protection Products Database

Prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Plant Protection Products Database (BKÜ) is a comprehensive platform containing official and up-to-date information on plant protection products (pesticides, biotechnical control products, biological preparations, etc.) used in agricultural production in Türkiye. This system is an important reference source for both conventional and organic farmers, agricultural engineers, researchers, and control/certification bodies.

Practical information

Copper Usage and Calculation

In organic farming, the inputs available for combating diseases and pests are quite limited. Therefore, copper derivatives stand out as one of the most important protective agents against fungal diseases, especially in viticulture, fruit growing, and vegetable production. However, since copper is an element with a high potential for accumulation in the soil, it poses environmental risks. For this reason, both the European Union (EU), Turkey, and the United States regulations strictly regulate the use of copper.

Practical information

Animal Manure Calculation

The total amount of livestock manure, as defined in Directive 91/676/EEC, used in the in-conversion and organic production units shall not exceed 170 kg of nitrogen per year/hectare of agricultural area used. That limit shall only apply to the use of farmyard manure, dried farmyard manure and dehydrated poultry manure, composted animal excrement, including poultry manure, composted farmyard manure and liquid animal excrement.

Practical information

Equivalent Number of Animals for 170 kg/ha/year Nitrogen Limit

One of the challenging issues in Organic Farming Regulations is the subject of “Equivalent Number of Animals for 170 kg/ha/year Nitrogen Limit.” The 170 kg/ha/year Nitrogen Limit was explained in detail in another article of ours. While the Org-TR Regulation No. 27676 and Regulation (EU) 2018/848 address this issue, there is no regulation on this subject in the U.S. National Organic Program (NOP) regulation. We summarized the NOP’s approach to Animal Manure in our article titled “Calculation of Animal Manure in Organic Farming: 170 kg/ha N Limit.”

Control and Certification in Organic Agriculture

Handling of Residues

Any product or substance that is not permitted in organic production and detected in analyses carried out on organic and in-conversion products is considered as a ‘residue’. Although residues detected in analyses mostly originate from pesticides, many products and substances that are not pesticides but are not permitted in organic production may also be sources of residues.

Control and Certification in Organic Agriculture

Traceability and Mass Balance

Preserving the integrity of organically produced products is one of the fundamental principles of organic farming legislation, and ensuring that organic or in-conversion products do not show any non-compliance that affects their characteristics at any stage of production, preparation and distribution is only possible by providing traceability and monitoring capability at every stage.

Control and Certification in Organic Agriculture

Retroactive Recognition of Previous Periods in Organic Farming

In accordance with the ‘Turkish Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming’ published in the Official Gazette No. 27676; the period from the start of activities in accordance with the provisions of Organic Farming until the product is certified as organic is defined as the ‘Conversion Period’. Throughout the entire process until the product is certified as organic, organic farming rules are applied.

Control and Certification in Organic Agriculture

Certificate concept and types

As a result of the implementation of all control methods, a ‘certificate’ is issued showing that the enterprise and the organic product comply with the legislation. According to the ‘Turkish Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming’ published in the Official Gazette No. 27676, unlike other Regulations, a certificate is also issued for organic input showing its compliance with the organic legislation.

Control and Certification in Organic Agriculture

Group of Operator and Internal Control System Requirements

The Turkish Regulation on the Principles and Implementation of Organic Farming, published in the Official Gazette No. 27676, defines the Operator as ‘a natural or legal person engaged in organic farming activities’ and in Article 6 states that the operator may carry out organic farming activity individually or with a producer group. According to the Turkish Organic Farming Regulation, the producer group can only carry out organic farming activities under legal entities.

Basic Principles of Organic Agriculture

Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Products

It is essential to take the necessary measures at every stage of production, preparation, and distribution in order to prevent products produced in accordance with organic production rules from being contaminated with products or substances not permitted in organic production and to prevent them from mixing with non-organic products, thus ensuring the organic integrity of the products.

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