Visit of Bioland Verband Südtirol

On Tuesday 21 November, we visited the Bioland Verband Südtirol, where the director, Reinhard Verdorfer, presented the organic farming situation and perspectives in South Tyrol. It is of note that the number of members is growing from 1991 onwards reaching 640 members and 25 partner companies in 2017.  The certification label of Bioland creates and ensures the added value over the whole supply chain from the seeds to the retailers and is based on seven principles: (1) care for the natural life cycles (2) soil fertility (3) animal welfare (4) grow food with high quality (5) biodiversity (6) conservation of water reservoirs (7) maintenance of independent farming structures. Dietmar Battisti, a Bioland member, showed us a nearby organic apple farm, where his owner explained how they increase the ecology impact of their crops such as using logs to attract beneficial insects and small animals.