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INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTARY STANDARDS At the international level the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission (the inter-governmental body that sets standards for all foods) has produced international guidelines for Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods to guide producers and to protect consumers against deception and fraud. These guidelines have been agreed upon by all member states of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. |
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The private sector's equivalent to the
Codex Alimentarius guidelines is the International Basic Standards
for Organic Production and Processing, created by the International
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements - IFOAM. Codex Alimentarius
and IFOAM guidelines include accepted management principles for
the production of plants, livestock, bees and their products (IFOAM
makes provisions also for fibres, aquaculture and non-wood forest
products); for handling, storage, processing, packaging and transportation
of products, and a list of substances permitted in the production
and processing of organic foods. These guidelines are regularly
reviewed, particularly the criteria for permitted substances and
the process by which inspection is carried out and certification
held. |
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Organic agriculture is becoming of growing importance in the agriculture sector of a number of countries, irrespective of their stage of development.
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OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS |
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The demand for organic products has created new export opportunities for the developing world.
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