Organic Agriculture in Aragon

In 1991, the European Economic Community (EEC) recognizes organic agriculture as an alternative production method to conventional agriculture, published in Regulation 2092/91 (EEC), which harmonizes the rules on production, processing, labeling and inspection.

In Spain through the Order of October 4th, 1989 established the Rules of the generic name on Organic Agriculture and the Board is created, transferred its powers in 1995 to each of the Communities autonomous.

In the years following the establishment of these organs were different steps to help the Organic Agriculture in its expansion process: establishment of an aid scheme, set out in Regulation No 1257/1999 of the EU published in June 1999 through agri-environment measures and repealing Regulation No 2078/92 in Spain by Royal Decree No. 51/1995.

Organic Agriculture was established by Order of April 20th of 1995 the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Forestry of the General Deputy of Aragón (BOA No 54), to regulate in the Community autonomous systems of organic production on the basis of Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic agriculture and its indication in agricultural products and foodstuffs.

Aragon

Aragon is located in northeastern Spain in the most developed and well communicated with Europe. It is one of the 17 Spanish autonomous regions and three provinces (Zaragoza, Huesca and Teruel), with 1,200,000 inhabitants and 730 municipalities).

The Autonomous Community of Aragon has an area of 47,724 square kilometers, almost one tenth part of Spain. It consists of three major natural areas: the northern Pyrenees, in the center the Ebro River to the south and the Iberian Mountain. Including two areas of transition: The Pyrenean and Iberian Somontano.

This gives rise to very different climates and landscapes that make up a privileged nature and overwhelming beauty.

The cold and wet weather in the Pyrenees mountains with abundant snow and long winters and cool summers is suitable for natural meadows, pastures and winter cereal crop.

The valley of the Ebro continental Mediterranean climate prevails with low rainfall, hot summers and cold winters. Typical strong wind called "cierzo" and the scorching heat of summer. Here in the fields of irrigation (irrigated by canals) are excellent grown vegetables and fruit as well as alfalfa, corn, rice and winter cereals, while in the dry fields are vineyards, olive, almond and winter cereals.

Current status of Organic Agriculture in Aragón

The structure of production in agriculture in Aragon is characterized by a high concentration of land in crops such as cereals, pulses, pasture, range and forage, which come to occupy 95% of the surface total inscribed in CAAE.

The Autonomous Community of Aragon, owns 10% of the organic Spain, but has major differences with the rest of the country in terms of structure of their holdings, as well as agricultural crops produced ecologically.

Registration process

The Committee of Organic Agriculture in Aragon (CAAE) takes three official records:

• Record of Producers (P): holders of farms.
• Record of Manufacturers (E): Holders of agribusiness.
• Record of imported from third countries (I): Importing.

To belong to one of those records, the owner must fill out some application forms and provide documentation that will perfectly identify the facilities or sites that form the production unit to be recorded, as well as the activities carried out there. Delivered documentation and paid a registration fee, a Technical Committee made a visit to the sites / facilities, which draws up a report, which verifies the accuracy of the registration application and the conditions to follow the rules. If the request is accepted, this visit will be repeated every year. With the information gathered, the file is transferred to the Qualifications Committee, composed of independent professionals and well-known within their business. Who will determine whether your registration is accepted at the registers and give the start date of practice.

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