Organic Control
Organic control (production, processing, marketing, export) is carried out by independent inspection bodies that are approved and supervised by the food authority.
All Austrian organic inspection bodies must be accredited according to the European standard 17065.
Who and What Is Inspected
Organic inspections are carried out annually and cover the entire production and processing chain. This means that not only organic farmers but also processing companies are inspected. The inspections cover:
- Fertilizers and plant protection products
- Seeds
- Animal husbandry (for example: access to outdoor areas and grazing requirements)
- Exceptional permits (for example: temporary tethering, cultivation of conventional seeds)
- Origin of products (entire value chain)
- EU organic standards for imported products
Traceability
Both agricultural and processing businesses are required to keep records. For example, farmers must record all purchased farm inputs and veterinary products and submit a cultivation plan for the next year. Processing companies must keep records of purchases and sales (id est quantity flow control).