Abstract:
Organic farming in the Czech Republic is particularly located in Less
Favoured Areas (LFA), which are often overlaid with environmentally
sensitive areas. Acreage of organic farming in the Czech republic makes
about 6% of the whole agriculture land. At present acreage of organic
farming is 281 535 ha. More than 90% share of this acreage represent
grasslands. Grasslands are linked with non-milk cattle breeding. Organic
farming fulfils its environmental function good in contrast to its production
function which is fulfilled much less. As the main product of organic farming
in Czech Republic is produced bee, but most of this beef isn’t certified as a
bio-product. The amount of bio-products is not sufficient enough and does
not cover both market and export need. This absence is also caused by
uniform range of bio-production and by insufficient manufacturing
capacities. At the same time only 24% of organic farmers can place more
than 50% of their production on the market as a bio-product. Important
limiting factor for increase of manufacturing capacities are in comparison to
EU very strict zoohygienic and veterinary laws and rules, related to animal
production. Structure of farming on arable land within organic farming is
limited by the system of subsidies. Currently this system is not satisfactory
enough to ensure higher motivation for farmers to produce bio-production
and farm on arable land. The demand for bio-products outweighs current
offer and the resultant difference is covered by import. In contrast with
earlier members of EU where the direct sell from farm is the main method of
distribution, in the Czech Republic is distribution of bio-products realized by
many ways, mainly through selling in supermarkets and specialised shops in
cities. In contrast with earlier members of EU, most of organic farms in the
Czech Republic feature relatively large acreage. These farms are primarily
focused on production and far less on manufacturing. This is one of the
reasons of lower share of straight sell from farms.
