Italy: Technology Platform for Organic Farming Founded

Technology platforms are aiming at joining the efforts of the organic industry and civil society in defining organic research priorities and defending them vis-à-vis the policy-makers. The< European Technology Platform TP Organics was established in December 2008; a Technology Platform for Hungary was founded in April 2009. 

The Italian Technology Platform plans develop a vision for the development of the organic sector and the corresponding research needs.

The following institutions are the founding members of the Italian Technology Platform:

• The publisher Coldiretti;
• The Italian Association of Organic Agriculture AIAB;
• Apofruit, a coopertive enterprise specialising in the main Italian fruit and vegetables for the international market; 
• ATQ, Environmental Quality Technology;
• The National Research Council CNR;
• The Council for Research and Experimentation in Agriculture CRA; 
• The Research Centre for Plant Production CRPV;
• The National Resarch Institute fo Food and Nutrition INRAN;
• The National Agency for New Technologies ENEA;
• The Italian Federation of Organic Farming Federbio; 
• The University of Bologna;
• The University of Pisa;
• Veneto Agricoltura, which promotes agriculture in the region of Veneto.

Source: Bollettino Bio N. 426, Decimo anno, Febbraio 2010. (Translation/Summary: Helga Willer, FiBL, Frick)