General FAQs

Organic agriculture is a production method that does not pollute the environment, does not damage the ecosystem, and can provide consumers with healthy and safe agricultural products. The definition of organic agriculture varies according to the laws of each country, and with the evolution of agricultural technology, the requirements of organic agriculture laws and regulations are becoming more and more stringent.

Organic agriculture is sometimes referred to as ecological agriculture, low-input agriculture, biological agriculture, dynamic agriculture, natural agriculture, regenerative agriculture, alternative agriculture, or sustainable agriculture. The names or definitions used by national laws or agricultural associations are often different. For example, the twelve countries of the European Union use the same regulations, but have adopted the terms ecological agriculture, biological agriculture, and organic agriculture as their legal designations.

In Taiwan, the term "organic agriculture" is used by the Ministry of Agriculture. According to the definition of the Ministry of Agriculture, "Organic agriculture is an agriculture that abides by the principle of sustainable utilization of natural resources, does not allow the use of synthetic chemicals, emphasizes the management system of soil and water resources conservation and ecological balance, and achieves the goal of producing naturally safe agricultural products.” In January 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture started to implement the "Agricultural Production and Certification Act", and "Organic Agriculture" and its products have been incorporated into the government's legal regulations. For related regulations, please refer to "Organic Agriculture Certification Standards and Regulations" under "Certification and Organizations" in the Organic Agriculture Information Website.

In simple terms, crops must undergo certification by a certifying organization to implement organic cultivation management according to the standards for organic agricultural products and processed organic agricultural products. Short-term crops, such as vegetables and rice, require a two-year conversion period, while long-term crops, like perennial fruit trees and tea trees, need a three-year conversion period. During this conversion period, the products cannot display Taiwan's organic agricultural products seal. However, they can display a seal issued by the certifying organization, which indicates that the farm's products meet the organic certification requirements. Consumers can still feel confident buying these products.