Regulatory standards and certification models are essential tools guaranteeing the authenticity of organic products. In particular, third-party certification is useful to consumers since it provides guarantees regarding production processes and food quality. In an attempt to cope with the costs and bureaucratic procedures related to the adoption of such certification, groups of small producers ...

The demand for organically-grown produce is increasing worldwide, with one of the drivers being an expectation among consumers that animals have been farmed to a high standard of animal welfare. This review evaluates whether this expectation is in fact being met, by describing the current level of science-based knowledge of animal health and welfare in organic systems. The primary welfare risk ...

A microwave plasma was used for direct ambient ionization mass spectrometry of solid substrates, rapidly yielding atomic spectra without sample digestion or pre-treatment. Further, molecular spectra for the organic components of the substrate were obtained simultaneously, in an ambient ionization format. Initial characterization of the microwave plasma coupling to an ion trap mass spectrometer ...

Objective To explore the process of refuse decomposition in hybrid bioreactor landfill. Methods The bioreactor landfill was operated in sequencing of facultative-anaerobic and aerobic conditions with leachate recirculation. pH, COD, and ammonia in the leachate and pH, biodegradable organic matter (BDM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in refuse were detected. Results CEC increased gradually ...

From 2003-2006, an EU network project ‘Sustaining Animal Health and Food Safety in Organic Farming’ (SAFO), was carried out with 26 partners from 20 EU-countries and 4 related partners from 4 candidate or new member states. The focus was the integration of animal health and welfare issues in organic farming with food safety aspects. Four very consistent conclusions became apparent: 1) The clima...

The aim of the study was to assess the level of air pollution by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a pig fattening house and in its vicinity. Air samples for chromatographic analysis were taken in the fattening house and in the vicinity of the farm. The air quality study shows that the level of organic gaseous pollutants was twice as high in the fattening house as in the atmospheric air. Alm...

Advances in analytical methods have led to the identification of several classes of organic chemicals that are associated with adverse environmental effects. Two such classes of organic chemicals, gasoline oxygenates and sex hormones, are used to illustrate challenges associated with the biodegradation of trace organic contaminants. Gasoline oxygenates can be present in groundwater, alone, or c...

The paper is based on selected findings of the Research project EEC 2092/91 (Organic) Revision. It contributes to an improved understanding of the core ethical values associated with and principles of organic farming, analyses reference to such values in the European Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 and its ongoing revision, and contrasts them with current practice of organic agriculture. An analysis o...

Earthworms feed readily upon sludge components, rapidly converting them into vermicompost, reduce the pathogens to safe levels and ingest the heavy metals. Volume is significantly reduced from 1 m³ of wet sludge (80% moisture) to 0.5 m³ of vermicompost (30% moisture). Earthworms have real potential both to increase the rate of aerobic decomposition and composting of organic matter and also to s...

introduction: one of the methods for disposal of sludge is its usage as fertilizer on agricultural. the purpose of this study was to analyze the possibility in the application of sludge to agricultural, according to environmental standards. methods: this descriptive-analytic study was conducted for 12 months on dried sludge wastewater treatment plant in yazd. monthly sampling and tests were per...