Lead Idea

Back in the 1990ies, food scientists in Gliwice published the results of year-long research on heavy metal pollutants in Polish vegetables: while vegetables in most parts of Poland are of impeccable quality, in the industrialized area of Silesia and particularly around Gliwice they are heavily polluted with lead and cadmium.

Starting Position

Most farms in Poland are privately owned and the soil tilled is barely polluted. Switching to organic farming is a simple matter there. The scientists – joined under the NGO Polish Ecological Club – went right to the decision makers – farmers, (wholesale) vegetable merchants, training institutions, nutrition specialists, the media and decision makers at the political level. They presented the scenario for a switch to “organic”.

Methods

Measures required for such a switch included:

–	curbing the production of polluted foodstuffs by introducing official regulations for limit values in industrial emissions as well as for products on sale.
–	promoting production of high-quality food based on modern farming methods and an efficient distribution system .

The second option in particular fell on fertile ground with all stakeholders, seeing as it included economic and political benefits too (in line with the free market economy just gained). Special emphasis was placed on products like vegetables and preserves, some types of fruit and honey. An organic farming chamber set up for the purpose is responsible for controlling farms once a year and issuing certificates in accordance with international standards.

Experiences

At the same time as farmers switched to organic farming an official control system and a commercial distribution system were established. Public institutions such as schools and kindergartens in particular proved good customers, contributing towards steady demand. Educational institutions devised an information and training system in cooperation with the media.

Farmers and merchants have formed associations so that part of the costs for controls are covered by membership fees. Additional funds are raised during farmers markets and similar events. In 1994 several other cities in Silesia joined the programme and set up a supply network which subsequently received funding from the province and the federal government. Approximately 70 farmers, more than 40 merchants and roughly 2,000 workshop participants were involved in the programme in 1998. Local residents have understood the importance of organic farming for people’s health and the environment. The programme relies on participation and economic success. This year the association for the promotion of organic farming was founded which representatives from NGOs, research institutes and organic farming organisations are members of. As a result a law on organic farming was passed in March 2001, which has encouraged a total of 2,000 farmers to switch to organic farming. Meanwhile members of the Polish parliament have also become active in promoting organic farming and the next challenge will be EU membership.

Transfer Potential

The Czech region of Karvina Trinec with similar structures, as well as several other cities in Silesia have shown a keen interest in the programme as have regions in Russia, the CIS and Ukraine. The programme is presented regularly at international conferences. The initiators of the programme in Gliwice have received special status in the national Polish Ecological Club.