Bio Suisse and Naturland join forces

The organic growers' association Naturland and the Swiss organic umbrella organisation Bio Suisse are working more closely together with immediate effect. In a cooperation agreement, the organisations have agreed on common guidelines for sustainable water management. In addition, the working conditions on certified farms are to be inspected according to a uniform system. This was announced by Naturland and Bio Suisse in a press release.

Global challenges such as scarce water resources "can only be successfully tackled together", says Naturland's Executive Director Steffen Reese. The associations have therefore harmonised their existing standards for sustainable water management and adopted a joint water management plan for certified farms in regions with scarce water resources. A guideline is intended to sensitise certified farms to the responsible use of water and to support them in implementing the new standards.

Joint controls

Bio Suisse is also joining the inspection system developed by Naturland, which the association has been using to check working conditions on certified farms for 20 years now. The inspectors of both organisations are also to participate in joint training activities. "The strategic cooperation with Naturland will take the monitoring of social conditions on our international farms to a new level," says Balz Strasser, CEO of Bio Suisse.

The associations announce that they will continue to pursue both issues - sustainable water management and social responsibility - together in the future. Among other things, Bio Suisse and Naturland plan to work together on labour and social issues in organic agriculture.