Many consumers, when reaching for products with the EU Euroleaf logo, ask themselves the same question: since farmers do not use synthetic plant protection products or artificial fertilizers, what exactly does fertilization in organic farming look like? The answer lies in the soil itself. In the organic system, the soil is carefully tended to naturally nourish the crops. See how this process works in practice.
The ban on synthetic plant protection products and artificial fertilizers – what does the law say?
EU regulations are uncompromising and very strict in this regard. According to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production, there is a complete ban on the use of easily soluble, synthetic mineral fertilizers (including nitrogen fertilizers popular in conventional farming) and synthetic plant protection products.
The production of artificial fertilizers and synthetic plant protection products is highly energy-intensive, and their overuse for decades has led to groundwater degradation and biodiversity loss. Instead, European farmers producing BIO food must rely on sustainable development, a closed nutrient cycle, and building natural, long-term soil fertility. Thanks to this, fertilization in organic farming is completely safe for the surrounding environment.
4 natural methods for fertilization in organic farming
The soil is treated here as a living organism. Instead of synthetic plant protection products and quick agrochemical solutions, certified producers use traditional agricultural knowledge combined with modern ecology. This is based on four main pillars:
Permitted natural minerals: In situations requiring intervention, a farmer can reach for a strictly limited list of substances of natural origin. These include, for example, meals from ground rocks rich in potassium and phosphorus, or natural lime, which have not undergone any synthetic chemical processing.
Crop rotation: This is the absolute foundation and an obligation for a BIO farmer. They do not plant the same species year after year in the same field. Plant rotation allows the earth to regenerate naturally and prevents soil depletion. It is crucial to include leguminous plants (e.g., lupine, clover, peas) in the cycle, which can bind nitrogen from the air and enrich the soil with it.
Green manure (catch crops): Between main crops, special plant species are sown, which are then ploughed and mixed into the earth. They act like a natural sponge, protecting against drought and turning into valuable organic matter, i.e., humus.
Natural fertilizers and compost: This system widely uses compost, manure, and slurry. However, they must come from certified organic farms or from extensive, traditional animal husbandry. They provide slow-release food for plants and beneficial microorganisms, which perfectly supports fertilization in organic farming.
Why is fertile soil a priority for the European Union?
Experts from the European Environment Agency (EEA) emphasize that conventional, intensive agricultural methods lead to soil depletion and erosion on the continent. That is why the rules applied in BIO farming fit into the most important EU initiatives, such as the “Farm to Fork” strategy and the EU Soil Mission.
By purchasing food certified with the Euroleaf, we can be sure that we are supporting agriculture that protects the environment. The production of BIO food does not contribute to the pollution of rivers and lakes by washed-out artificial fertilizers. Instead, microbiological life thrives in the fields, and the soil becomes a reservoir of clean water and a carbon sink, thus fighting climate change. Certified quality begins in the soil.
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