Organic farming: rules, conversion and market
From the EU's common organic regulation to the red Ø mark on the shelves
Alongside conventional agriculture ecology plays an increasing role in Danish agriculture. For the individual farm it is not just a question of cultivation method — it is also a set of rules a certification and a market position that sets different requirements than conventional operation.
§What characterizes organic farming?
Organic farming is based on a principle of working with nature's own cycles rather than compensating with industrially produced aids. In practice, this means a number of key differences from conventional farming.
- 01Synthetic commercial fertilizer must not be used — nutrients must instead come from animal manure clover grass catch crops and crop rotation.
- 02Chemical pesticides are generally not permitted; weeds and pests are handled mechanically, biologically and through crop rotation.
- 03Livestock must have access to outdoor areas and be able to exhibit natural behavior to a greater extent than minimum requirements in conventional operations.
- 04Genetically modified organisms (GMO) are not permitted in organic production.
§The regulatory basis
Organic production in the EU is today regulated by a common regulation, EU Regulation 2018/848, which was adopted in 2018 and came into force on 1 January 2022. The regulation sets the common minimum requirements for cultivation, livestock, processing and labelling across the EU's member countries so that an organic product means the same thing regardless of where in the EU it is produced.
§Conversion to organic farming
An operation that wishes to become organic must go through a conversion period in which the land is farmed according to organic rules, without the crops yet being able to be sold as fully organic. A conversion plan is drawn up describing production on the farm and marking the areas and buildings to be included. Once the conversion period is complete, the products can be sold as fully organic.
§The red Ø mark and group certification
It is the state that grants the right to use the red Ø mark, which is the Danish state-controlled organic label. With the latest EU regulation, a group certification scheme has also been introduced, which makes it easier and cheaper for smaller farmers to become certified and converted to organic operation, because the control and certification costs can be shared in the group.
| Subject | Conventional agriculture | Organic farming |
|---|---|---|
| Fertilisation | Commercial fertilizer and manure according to fertilization plan | Only livestock manure, clover and cover crops — no synthetic commercial fertiliser |
| Plant protection | Chemical agents permitted according to IPM and authorization rules | Chemical agents generally not permitted |
| Animals' outdoor access | According to minimum requirements in animal welfare legislation | Extended requirements for outdoor areas and natural behavior. |
| Inspection | Common government inspection | Certification and at least annual inspection visits from the Agricultural Authority |
§Market and economy
For the individual farmer the decision to convert to organic production is both a professional and economic decision. Often organic production gives a lower yield per hectare or per animal but in return a higher settlement price because consumers demand and pay more for goods with the red Ø symbol. It requires new professional knowledge — particularly about mechanical weed control crop rotation and preventive animal health — to make the economy work out in an organic farm.
“Ecology is not just conventional agriculture without chemicals — it is a different way of thinking crop rotation, nutrients and animal welfare together.”
— Professional overview on ecological conversion