General Introduction
In 2003, the EISfOM Concerted Action, supported by EU research funding, was started with the aim of developing a framework for reporting valid and reliable production and market data on the European organic sector, in order to meet the needs of policy makers, farmers, processors, wholesalers and other actors involved in organic markets. The project is co-ordinated by a network of research organisations and market information/statistical agencies that have been intensively involved in collecting and analysing organic farming statistics over many years. Further information about the project, the partnership and registration can be found at www.eisfom.org.
Project Progress so far / Output
In 2004, we completed the first phase of the project, which included:
- A review of data collection and processing systems organic farming statistics in 32 European countries, which established the current state of the art and identified opportunities for development and improvement
- The debating of these issues in the 1st EISfOM European seminar in Berlin in April 2004, reported in the proceedings of the event
- A final first phase report making proposals for harmonizing existing data collection and processing methods, assessing measures for improving data quality and identifying tools for the development of new data collection systems at various levels.
Since then, we have been evaluating innovative initiatives in different countries, focusing on some of the most interesting ideas that emerged from the first phase. This evaluation process is due to be completed in the next few months and the results will be published on the EISfOM website as soon as they are available.
Final Project phase: Recommendations on the framework for a future European Information System for Organic Markets
Now we are embarking on the final phase of the project, which is to make specific recommendations on the framework for a future European Information System for Organic Markets, integrating the work of national and international agencies. The timing of this is opportune, as it coincides with the efforts of Eurostat and DG Agri to develop an initiative for organic farming statistics as part of the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming.
Over the next six months, we will be preparing detailed proposals, with the aim that these should be debated at the 2nd EISfOM European seminar to be held in Brussels from 10-11th November 2005.
The final tasks of the EISfOM project, due by the end of this year, will be to complete the proposals, reflecting the conclusions of the seminar, and to provide detailed recommendations for European and national administrations to use as a basis for future action.
To support this process, an online discussion forum has been launched, to debate the conclusions we have reached so far in the different areas, and to provide a firmer foundation for our proposals for the future.
Over the next period March to July 2005, we will be looking at each of the main areas of activity in turn, considering the need and possibilities for change, specific ideas for new initiatives, and barriers to their implementation. The starting point will be the concluding report of the first phase of the EISfOM project. Relevant extracts from the report, summarised in easily digestible form and focusing on specific areas of activity, will be used as a starting point for the discussions, according to the (approximate) schedule listed below.
Contact
Dr. Nic Lampkin, EISfOM Project Co-ordinator, Institute of Rural Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
How does the discussion forum work
The EISfOM discussion forum is located at www.OrganicForum.org. Only members of the EISfOM network have access to the forum; if you are not a member please register here.
For those that are already members: in order to enter the forum you have to write your initials and your original EISfOM password.If you have forgotten your password, just click at \"Forgot password\" write your initials and your email address. A new password will then be sent to you.
How to use the discussion forum
Once you have entered the forum, you are able to read all the topics relating to EISfOM, and you can reply or post a new topic. Please note, when a topic is posted at the EISfOM list, an e-mail notification is sent to members of the list. If you have any problems in using the list, please let us know.
Contact
Claus Bo Andreasen, DARCOF
Relevant Documents for the Discussion
Three major reports
A review of data collection and processing systems organic farming statistics in 32 European countries, which established the current state of the art and identified opportunities for development and improvement
The debating of these issues in the 1st EISfOM European seminar in Berlin in April 2004, reported in the proceedings of the event
A final first phase report making proposals for harmonizing existing data collection and processing methods, assessing measures for improving data quality and identifying tools for the development of new data collection systems at various levels.
Documents
Futher documents related to the the individual discussion themes are available at the time plan for the discussion.
All publications produced in the EISFOM project are availabel at www.orgprints.org
Time Plan and responsibilities
23rd March
Level 1: Farm production
a) Contributions to the discussions
b) Relevant Documents (all available via the EISFOM Member net):
25th April
Level 2: Farm incomes
Moderator: Klass Jan Kramer
Relevant documents:
2nd May
Level 6: Supply balances & Trade
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hamm
9th May
Level 5: Consumer/retailer data
Moderator: Dr. Toralf Richter
16th May
Level 3. Prices (various levels)
Moderators: Markus Rippin & Raffaele Zanoli
23rd May
Level 7. Visions
Moderator: Sjaak Wolfert
20th June
Conclusion statement
Moderator: Nic Lampkin
Contact
Helga Willer, FiBL
(c) FiBL / DARCOF; Last modified 28.04.2005
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