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Of that number, 75 were general farmers, 12 market gardeners, 15 grape growers, 12 fruit growers, 14 beekeepers and 4 small-scale farms.

A further 127 operators were registered as processing, distributing or marketing organic produce.

In previous years, Luxembourg has taken several steps to promote organic farming, including the creation of a network of nine demonstration farms to promote organic farming, organising information meetings and the creation of the organic farming prize.

Organic future

In future, analysis tool “Smart” (Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment RouTine) will be used to assess the sustainable development of farms and companies operating in the food industry. Some 12 organic and conventional farms will be compared using this tool.

A handful of research projects into organic practices are planned this year, involving soya bean farming for animal feed, and the ministry is co-financing studies in organic weed management and winter wheat.

Smallholders and beekeepers, who do not receive premiums-based on hectare, will also for the first time be fully supported with subsidies to sustain organic production, it was announced.