Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Lithuanian Organic Agriculture in the Context of European Union
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58352
7. Maintaining of organic agriculture
7.1. Certification
Organic agriculture indicates necessary transformation of farming system therefore it is
essential to have a transitional period of 2 years [24]. Transitional period is a period through
which on a farm there is introduced crop rotation, fertilization, methods of plant protection
and other means of farming corresponding to the regulations of organic agriculture [25]. The
certification commission can lengthen or shorten this farm transitional period. Organic
agriculture differs from other farming forms as well by the requirement to keep regulations of
organic agriculture and its products have origin certification [17, 24]. The whole process of
organic product processing, production and all ingredients used in processing is inspected.
Certification and marking of organic products initiated its high demand on market. Certifica‐
tion is a procedure by which certification body confirms that product and/or process of
processing corresponds to the set of requirements [24, 25]. Production process of organic
products control and certified public bodies are validated by the Ministry of Agriculture. In
Lithuania organic farms, holdings and enterprises are certified by the public body "Ekoagros"
(www.ekoagros.lt). At the moment it is exclusive body for organic agriculture certification in
Lithuania with the centre in Kaunas and branches in Utena and Telšiai. However, State
Enterprise Lithuanian Agricultural and Food Market Regulation Agency (the Market Regula‐
tion Agency <http://www.litfood.lt/Lists/Publications/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=http%3a
%2f%2fwww%2elitfood%2elt%2fLists%2fPublications%2fEnglish%20summary&FolderC‐
TID=0x012000EF8B28BBC9FD604F9F45357A684ABF67>) seek for organic production certifi‐
cation as well. If it succeeds, Lithuania will have two licensed organic certification bodies.
The main standard document of organic agriculture in Lithuania is "Regulations of Organic
Agriculture: production, processing, realization and marking" [26] that is continuously
improved and renewed [17, 25]. The certification body controls keeping of organic agriculture
regulations. Certification body inspects declarant, seeking for organic certificate, performs
expertise of inspectation results and initiates decission for issue of organic certificate. Certifi‐
cate is a document issued according to the regulations of organic agriculture and evidenced
that product or processing process is in accordance with the requirements of organic agricul‐
ture regulations. Certificate gives right to mark products declarated in certificate as organic.
The list of certified declarants (farms, holdings, enterprises, etc.) is announced in public.
Certificate is valid for one year [25]. All declarants intended to certify production as organic
each year till 15 June deliver application for certification and support. After 15 June applica‐
tions for certification are not admitted. Submitted application data can be corrected till 12 of
July. Certification body performs inspection of organic farms till 15 of October each year.
7.2. Support for organic agriculture
Owners of Lithuanian organic farms can receive financial support according to the one of
"Agrarian environmental protection payoff" implements programme, i.e. "Organic agricul‐
ture". The task of the programme is to support organic agriculture as a system that secures
production of high quality products with good perspectives on a market. Support for organic
