Drawing on scientific research, this book: reviews the organic farming sector in the 21st century and the policies developed towards it; assesses its contributions to the environment, food quality, farmers' incomes; and makes a detailed range of recommendations for future organic farming policy.
This book analyses the impact of the Agenda 2000 of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on organic farming as one of most established examples of environmentally friendly farming systems. The authors provide comparative assessments of first and second pillar measures impact on conventional and organic farms, analysing the impact of direct payments, price support measures and rural development measures (agri-environmental measures, investment support, processing and marketing measures, training measures and Less Favoured Area support) for a range of countries and farm types. Finally, an outlook on possible effects of the CAP Reform 2003 on organic farming systems and recommendations on how to maximise the positive effects of agricultural policy on organic farming are given."--Editor.