Planta Med 2009; 75 - SL68
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234323

Models of organic certification in herbal sector of Western Balkan

S Redzic 1, H Basic 2, S Barudanovic 3
  • 1Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7 Bistrik St., 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • 2Fac. of Mechanical Engineering, 6 Vilsonovo setaliste St., 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • 3Center of Ecology & Natural Resources, Fac. of Sci. Univ. Sarajevo, 33–35 Zmaja od Bosne St., 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Transition from central economy to market economy in Balkan region has left visible marks on natural resources. At times when clear legal basis for property over natural resources and public spaces still doesn't exist, we are facing with specific chaos in herbal sector that result in extensive exploitation of medical plants and their illegal export [1,2]. One of models for sustainable picking of wild medical plants and their turnover on local and international market is organic certification. Actual approaches and experiences in this sector are presented in this study.

Organic certification is aimed toward safety, sustainability and better administration of plants. Process of organic certification is very complex. Evaluation and identification of safety includes the following: application to company in charge for organic certification; visiting places of future exploitation (site visit with representatives of certification company); mapping of territory for gathering medical plants, mushrooms, forest fruits; and ensuring ecological certificate, issued by ministry in charge, that would guaranty safety of the territory in terms of pollution, use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, global influences. In administration, it is necessary to conduct permanent education of harvesters and other people employed in herbal sector, to conduct accreditation of people, development of more solid legislation and more effective monitoring and inspections.

In order to reach sustainability in use of natural resources, it is necessary to have on disposal the following: list of wild medical plants, their biomass, models of reproduction, affiliation with living forms, conservation status, etc. Even though many international certification houses are active on the territory of Western Balkan (KRAV Sweden, IMO Switzerland – Germany, SOIL Association Great Britain, NOP – National Organic Program for the US Market, BIO SUISSE Switzerland and others) this segment still suffers from serious problems in reaching sustainability [3].

Study is demonstrating experience from various geographical areas of western Balkan, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

References: [1] Redzic, S. (2006) Proc 1st IFOAM Intern. Conf. Organic Wild Production, 117–141.

[2] Redzic, SS (2007) Collegium Antropol. 31:869–890.

[3] Redzic S (2006) Proc 4th Balkan Botanical Congress, 42.