Organic production in Serbia and Global GAP 2024
Organic farming is a term that refers to production based on high respect for ecological principles through the rational use of natural resources, the use of renewable energy sources, preservation of biodiversity, and environmental protection. It involves the use of natural substances and processes, while limiting or completely eliminating the use of synthesized substances.
The goal of organic production is to use natural resources in a sustainable way, preserve ecosystems, maintain and increase soil fertility, and reduce all forms of pollution.
If a producer who has been engaged in conventional farming wants to switch to organic farming, they must comply with the conversion period. The term refers to the time required to transition from one production method to another, during which the producer applies organic farming methods.
In the domestic market, certification is intended for primary agricultural producers, processors, and distributors, including importers, and applies to the following product groups: unprocessed agricultural products, including live animals, processed food, animal feed, and reproductive material.
If an organic product complies with the Law on Organic Production of the Republic of Serbia and its regulations, it receives a certificate issued by an authorized control organization. Authorized control organizations are independent legal entities authorized by the competent Ministry to carry out control and certification tasks for organic production and accredited by the ATS (Accreditation Body of Serbia).
By obtaining a certificate, the right to use the national logo for organic products and to make textual references to organic production in sales and advertising activities is acquired. If a product lacks this mark but only has prefixes like “Bio,” “Eko,” or “Organic,” it means it has not been controlled and certified.
Products intended for export must be certified not only according to domestic regulations but also in accordance with the requirements of the standards of the target market to which they are exported. Organic production in the European Union is regulated by the Regulations: Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/07 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 889/08.
In contrast to organic farming, the goal of the international standard Global GAP (a management system for agriculture and primary food production) is to strengthen consumer confidence regarding the quality and health safety of agricultural and other primary products, as well as to reduce the negative impacts on the environment from previous agricultural production methods, the safety of workers in agricultural production, and animal husbandry.
The idea behind this standard is to provide a guarantee to retailers and consumers that all control measures have been taken to ensure the product is safe for health.
Global GAP is intended for primary producers of fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental plants, fisheries, livestock production, and integrated agriculture, and it does not have a legally binding form, unlike organic production.
Product certification is carried out by certification bodies authorized for certification by the GLOBALGAP Secretariat.
Today, conventional agriculture had to make way for the agricultural practices of the new generation. Quality and health-safe products, as well as awareness of the preservation of the entire ecosystem, have become imperatives of modern business practices.