1.
Image: foodlog & urgenda; peppers: PuraNatura

2.
Founded 2007
To increase the relevance of sustainable horticulture and
its products by stimulating innovation
Supervisory Board
Maurice Wubben, Chairman, Philip van Antwerpen, Jim Grootscholte
Executive Board
Peter Jens, Chairman
Technical Team Today
Bram Klapwijk, Koppert Biological Systems
Hans de Vette, Van der Knaap Group

3.
IFOAM Theoretical Principles
Health CARE
Ecology FAIRNESS
Fairness HEALTH
Care ECOLOGY

4.
PuraNatura Practical Ranking
Health CARE
Ecology FAIRNESS
Fairness HEALTH
Care ECOLOGY
Care and fairness reflect personal, political choices on how we want to live
together. Health and ecology are “just” common sense, good science and hard
work.

5.
Protected Cropping
In any way, shape or form, an intensification of agriculture.
Crops are intensily fertilized, energized, watered, nourished,
taken care of and recycled.
(Example: 42kg/m2 tomato needs 862N, 237P & 1.505 K/ha, 4x avg open field crop)
Organic
Greenhouse:
Protect the
crop?
Protect topsoil
& limit inputs!

6.
Hydroponic Production:
- the method of growing plants with their roots in a mineral
nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite,
gravel or mineral wool to which a nutrient solution is added
(Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008, Article 2 g)
✔

7.
Noticed the difference?

8.
The first 7-9 weeks EU organic certified transpants grow out-of-soil
and 80% of plantvitality &-resilience is determined in this period.

9.
EU regulations
The spirit of EU regulations is clear:
Soil ecosystems matter and it understandably prohibits
hydroponics because “organic” is about organic matter,
hence its name.
But soil does not mean “earth” and the organic grower must
have the choice and be allowed to protect the sub-soils!
Not just protect the crop…

10.
EU regulations
The spirit of EU regulations is clear:
That is why with Protected Cropping the organic grower
must have the choice to protect the sub-soils and the
environment.
We believe that the cultivation of plants in an active growth medium
with soil life above the sub-soil, not in it, can be and should be allowed.
And in several Member States it IS allowed. The PuraNatura method is
thus already in line with the spirit of EU legislation. And even follows
the letter of the law, but, perhaps, not in The Netherlands
But as the NL Ministry states: “It’s the hydroponic definition that
counts, not the exact term”. We have hope for clarification soon.

11.
Suggestion no 1
EC communication: “While
prohibiting hydroponics
889/2008 allows organic growers to:
use active growth media with high organic content,
In or out-of-soils in order
to protect soils and
manage resources.

12.
Wim Grootscholte
-video-
Mr. Wim Grootscholte, Grower

13.
Greenhouse cultivation regulated?
Then…all –ideological- bets are off-
One simply cannot have the pie and eat it too!

14.
High-touch
Low-tech High-tech
Low-touch
So IF indeed the EC decides
Greenhouse cultivation merits
specific regulations, together we
have to make it into the best
available agricultural practice to
date, high-tech, low-tech, high-touch
and low-touch practitioners, all
together.
No current organic grower has to be
left behind…

15.
Best way to lift…
Properly regulated Greenhouse Cultivation will
lift the entire organic market into higher
relevance. (But accept it for what it is!!!)

16.
Do Organic Labels Drive Repeat Purchase
Loyalty?
… results show that growth during this
period is primarily driven by market
penetration..
…that organic foods suffer in terms of repeat
purchase loyalty, mainly due to lack of
availability.
Polymeros Chrysochou, Boyan Vassilev, Aarhus University
(more affordable products on the shelves)

17.
purpose
PuraNatura method: 2 additional jobs per hectare x area growth = jobs
More young entrepreneurs to start Organic Greenhouse, even in cities
Attractive and doable at any and all European Member States
Thanks to a ERDF co-finance
grant we can develop our
systems and demonstrate our
societal added value.

18.
purpose
Especially the ones not blessed by rich soils, or the ones that
cannot afford to fiddle with the figures on area’s and nitrates and
phosphates, or the ones that need to be extra careful with
resources. Or the ones that want to grow within their urban
communities and want grow on roofs of abandoned parking
garages and supermarkets. They too should be part of the
European Organic family. They will be the next generation of
pioneers, the ones that will increase consumer interest,
awareness and acceptation of organic produce.
Ours is the inclusive
and participative
type of organic. We
want as many
growers throughout
the European Union
to enter the system.

19.
Suggestion no 2
• “EU Organic”: The organic based on similarities at
product level and based on what we know now and can
measure.

20.
Suggestion no 2
• “EU Organic”: The organic based on similarities at
product level and based on what we know now and can
measure;
• “National or Private Organic” based on differences
between growing methods, based on what one believes
or wants;

21.
make the exclusive good
into the inclusive better,
then all ships will rise.
Find here our observations on EGTOP Final Report