Bionext must defend statements

Bionext, the trade association for organic agriculture, has to answer to the Advertising Code Committee for statements it has made. The committee is responding to a complaint submitted by an arable farmer.

Bionext claims in their statements that organic production has no negative consequences for the environment, unlike the conventional variant. According to the prosecutor, there is no scientific basis for this statement.

Hidden costs
On March 8, Bionext must appear before the Advertising Code Committee, which has dealt with the complaint from arable farmer Michiel van Andel from Emmeloord. The trade association posted a on Facebook movie about the 'hidden costs' associated with conventional agriculture in their view. Organic farming does not have these costs, because it is not harmful to the environment, it says. Also on their website is written about this.

False, misleading and dishonest
On his website Prosecutor Michiel van Andel will elaborate on the statements made by Bionext. He calls them false, misleading and dishonest. "Such advertisements promote polarization," he writes. It widens the gap between organic and conventional.

Bionext has now responded to the allegation, Van Andel said. They are of the opinion that there is no question of deception. Their advertisement complies with the applicable rules.

Substantiation is correct
As scientific substantiation for the statements, Bionext relies on a study by the World Food Organization (FAO). They use the 'True Cost Accounting' accounting method to calculate the impact on the natural and social environment. According to Bionext, the scientific conclusions that Van Andel puts forward in his blog can be interpreted in several ways.

Common is critical
The organic advocate is of the opinion that conventional agriculture and the food sector are particularly critical of organic farming. Organic products would be (too) expensive. "This criticism is now being challenged or put into perspective, according to the biological advocate. It is the first time that Bionext has to appear before the Advertising Code Committee for statements that it has made itself.

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