Market Readiness Analysis

The law on Organic Agriculture was drafted in 2005 and reviewed by
a national committee formed of organic experts, under the
supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.
The draft law was submitted to the Council of Ministers and is still
waiting for discussion and approval, to be then referred to the
Parliament.
This draft law foresees the establishment at the Ministry of Agriculture
of a Unit responsible of Organic Agriculture. Until then, issues related
to organic agriculture are being followed at the ministry by the
Directorate of Rural Development.
The organic law has been drafted to be in compliance with EEC
Regulation 2092/91, with the objective of potential export to European
countries and others.
The application of EEC Regulation 2092/91 in Lebanon is posing
some technical difficulties at the farming level. Some organic inputs
are only available in limited quantities, such as certified organic seeds
and local organic manure.
This puts a financial burden on organic producers who are forced to
import these products at a high price. The import of organic inputs at
a cheaper price and the development of local technical expertise are
seen as important to improve the situation.
Organic labeling appears as a priority in the development of the
sector in Lebanon. It is the right of consumers to be informed about
the origin of the food product, and the way it was prepared. The
organic certification as an organic guarantee is also an important
concept to be popularized among consumers, to avoid fraud.
Protection against genetically modified organisms, at both the policy
and practical levels is required to prevent cross-contamination of
organic lands.
LEBANESE STANDARDS FOR ORGANIC FARMING
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