Organisation
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV provides most of the necessary funds for research in Organic Food and Farming. In 2005 within the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV several so-called sectoral cluster boards were set up, including one for organic agriculture. These cluster boards deal with all research related issues. The Cluster Board Organic Agriculture within the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV makes all final decisions, after having established that eventually the generated knowledge contributes to the policy objectives. In this way, organic research in the Netherlands is strongly demand driven.
This chapter informs on the following
Situation as of 2006
Since 2006 the key body in organic farming research is the recently instituted Knowledge Network Organic Sector (KNOS; Kennisnetwerk Biologische Landbouw) with the given name Bioconnect (figure). All relevant stakeholders from the organic sector are represented in this network. On a yearly basis, Bioconnect makes recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV – organised in the Cluster Board Organic Agriculture – on the subjects and priorities to be set for research in organic agriculture. In general, the cluster board, which has the final decisive power, will adopt the recommendations and direct them to the manager of the Cluster Board Organic Agriculture Research.
The Bioconnect system is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV for a large part, because of its instrumental role in defining research priorities.
The recommendations of Bioconnect are based on input from the organic agricultural sector and on the monitoring and evaluation of ongoing research activities (knowledge supply). In total 15 groups are active in Bioconnect. Each group consists of 10 to 15 people who have five meetings each year. Apart from that each ongoing project is guided by at least two representatives from the organic sector.
Decision making on research subjects and priority setting within the network of Bioconnect takes place at two levels:
- a detailed level – the Netwerkloketten, the so-called network counters
- a board level – the Adviescommissie Kennis, the knowledge committee for organic farming and food
a) The detailed level is covered by several so-called Netwerkloketten, the network counters. They are the primary tier within Bioconnect. Here the inputs from the agricultural sector come together, and, matters of relevance to the organic sector are discussed. The project level, which dives into the details, is dealt with by so called working groups. Each working group has one clear contact point for the outside world. All stakeholders of the supply chain of a certain product are represented in their working group which acts as a platform for setting the research agenda. These working groups discuss the details of knowledge demands, project proposals, ongoing projects, research results and the final knowledge dissemination with representatives of research institutes. The working groups also arrange the participation of representatives of companies in each project. Examples of groups are organic vegetables, organic fruit, organic pork meat etc. Each group makes an inventory of current problems, makes recommendations on the problems to be solved through research and prioritises them to the Knowledge Committee. Each group has five meetings per year. The internet is used extensively as a medium for discussion.
b) The Adviescommissie Kennis - the knowledge committee for organic farming and food - sorts out the input provided by the respective network counters. It is thus the secondary tier within Bioconnect. It makes the final recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV on research projects and their priorities. This group meets five times a year and works in close cooperation with the time schedules from the ministry.
The major part of the Dutch research effort in organic agriculture is carried out by Wageningen University and Research Centre and by the Louis Bolk Institute LBI, often in close cooperation. For management purposes, all specific organic research is grouped and coordinated by a research “cluster manager” acting as the research representative towards the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV and Bioconnect. The research cluster encompasses the major organic research programme and coordinates also with research project with a possible relevance to organic agriculture in other programmes.
Figure 1 shows how organic research in the Netherlands has been organized since the beginnings of 2006. Please note: this scheme only applies to publicly funded specific organic farming research.
Historical Situation
Until 2006, every research programme was monitored and controlled by a programme specific supervisory committee. These three or four year programmes covered a theme like for instance plant protection, statutory plant health, organic animal husbandry, and were composed of research projects. There was one research programme manager on the part of the research institution. The supervisory committee, chaired by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV, was composed of various stakeholders and preferably of specialists with no relationship with the programme.
These committees were chaired by a representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV and staffed by representatives of regional governments (provinces), the organic farming sector and other stakeholders based on their subject matter knowledge and their involvement in the programme.
This organization can be characterized as complete but not very efficient in situations with more than one research programme covering a whole sector as in organic agriculture (see table). It produced a huge workload for the Ministry and to a lesser extent also for the other members. In the new situation as described above, much of the workload is shifted from the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV to the organic sector (Bioconnect).
Figure 2 shows the past and the current organization of monitoring and control. Important differences are
(1) Reduction in the number of supervisory meetings;
(2) Reduction of necessary ministry staff;
(3) clear differentiation in the purpose of meetings and the level of detail;
(4) Better overall view on the developments in the organic sector; and
(5) Less flexibility for topical events.
Stakeholders
All primary stakeholders, being members of the organic production and supply chain (production, processing, marketing and sales) and thus directly dependent on a flourishing organic sector, are represented in the Netwerkloketten of Bioconnect.
Important primary stakeholder parties are:
Biologica, the policy and advocacy organisation of the organic sector in the Netherlands, representing primary producers, traders and processors, and natural food stores.
It is in charge of political lobbying related to organic faming, coordinates initiatives aimed at improved cooperation in marketing chains, and coordinates the sector's research agenda priorities through its Advisory Committee Knowledge (Adviescommissie Kennis).
Biologica is also involved in many activities related to consumer information.
Biologica is a member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture (IFOAM).- Vereniging van Biologische Producenten (VBP), the Dutch association of organic production and trading companies uniting a substantive proportion of the organic sector, including importers, processors and traders.
- Vakgroep Biologische Landbouw of the Land- en Tuinbouworganisatie Nederland (LTO), the forum of organic producers within the National Farmers Union.
- Centraal Bureau Levensmiddelen, the national organisation of retailers.
- Secondary stakeholders, being members of the knowledge chain, are also represented in the Netwerkloketten. Secondary stakeholders can be seen as facilitators of the primary stakeholders, or are service providers. They comprise of:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV as advisor
- Platform Adviesdiensten Biologische Landbouw, the farm advisory services in organic agriculture
- Kenniskring Onderwijs Biologische Landbouw , training in organic agriculture
- Task force Market Development Organic Agriculture
- Stichting Agro Keten Kennis (AKK), which is in charge of supply chain management in organic food.
Although the research establishment could well be regarded as a secondary stakeholder also, representatives of research institutes are formally not present in the Netwerkloketten. It would potentially constitute a conflict of interest if they were.
The public authority, i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV, is a major stakeholder but its interests are expressed outside the structure of Bioconnect. They are represented through the Cluster Board Organic Agriculture within the Ministry.
Research Institutes
Two institutions – the Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) and the Louis Bolk Institute LBI - are responsible for the major part of organic research in the Netherlands:
Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR)
Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) is a holding of the Wageningen Agricultural University, the Larenstein Agricultural College and a number of agricultural research institutes, both at the strategic and applied level. Wageningen University offers a vast number of full academic BSc, MSc and PhD programmes in all life sciences.
Coordination of organic agricultural research within Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) is conducted by the Innovation Centre Organic Agriculture IBL (Innovatiecentrum Biologische Landbouw). IBL coordinates, stimulates and initiates the development and integration of knowledge on organic agriculture and food within Wageningen UR and where possible, beyond. Its main target groups in the Netherlands are researchers, policy makers, members of the production chain, students and teachers in middle and higher education, advisory/extension services and social organisations with an interest in sustainable agriculture. Within the international context IBL mainly targets research organizations. It also assists the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality LNV in the activities related to the European ERA-net project Core Organic.
The following institutes and/or entities of Wageningen University and Research Centre (Wageningen UR) are involved in organic agricultural research:
Agricultural Economics Research Institute of Wageningen UR (LEI) is a leading institute for social and economic research on agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, forestry and rural areas. The LEI's focus at both national and international level is the increasing integration of agriculture and agribusiness with the social environment.
Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG) is the organisation for knowledge development and knowledge transfer in the field of sustainable applications for safe food and non-food products. AFSG creates, by combining expertises, inspiring options and concrete solutions in close cooperation with the Government, business and industry. AFSG unites, as of December 2005, the Department of Agrotechnology and Food Science and the organisation for Agrotechnology and Food Innovations.
Alterra - Research Institute for the Green World of Wageningen UR offers a combination of practical and scientific research in a multitude of disciplines related to the environment and the sustainable use of the living environment. Flora and fauna, soil, water, the environment, geo-information and remote sensing, landscape and spatial planning, man and society are a few of the numerous aspects Alterra focuses on.
Animal Sciences Group (ASG): Its research and education covers the entire animal production chain (including fish culture, fisheries and companion animals), and a lot of research work is done at an an international scale. ASG has an intensive collaboration of science, application and practical experience and through interaction of all the disciplines.
Applied Plant Research (PPO) is the leading Dutch organisation for applied research in arable farming, multifunctional agriculture and outdoor vegetable growing, bees, flower bulbs, nursery stock, fruit, greenhouse horticulture and mushrooms. PPO aims at co-innovations with partners from the different agricultural sectors, sciences, industry and Government. PPO analyses together with clients, questions regarding farm and crop management and translates these into applied research and development programmes. Connected to PPO is the Biological Farming Systems Research and Teaching Group. 
Plant Research International (PRI) integrates knowledge in the fields of genetics and reproduction, crop protection, crop ecology and agricultural systems. Thus, Plant Research International offers a host of perspectives to industry, agriculture, horticulture and agro-ecosystems linked to farm management and nature development.
RIKILT - Institute of Food Safety evaluates food quality and safety. This covers food constituents, agro-chemicals, environmental contaminants and natural toxins. It conducts fundamental-strategic and applied research for national and international governments, as well as industries and supports the policy of the Dutch Government with research and advice.
RIKILT also has expertise on quality and supply chain management needed to improve production processes and product quality in the agro-industry.
Louis Bolk Institute (LBI)
The Louis Bolk Institute LBI is a forerunner and initiator in research on homeopathic medicine, organic farming and organic food. It sees an intimate connection between farming, food and human health. LBI’s research draws a lot upon the knowledge and experience of innovative practitioners – farmers, doctors and therapists. Their experiences are extrapolated to a wider overall context, systemised, and scientifically underpinned.
In its research and development work, the Louis Bolk Institute uses the following methods: practical and question-focused approach to research and consultancy; experiential science; thinking in terms of relationships and cohesion, system-based approach.