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Country Content Sections/Tabs

Country Content Sections/Tabs

Policy Information

Policy Information

Government Agency(s) / Competent Authority

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
Department of Agriculture
National Organic Program

Agency(s) Contact Information:

Ministry of Agriculture and Forests
Department of Agriculture
National Organic Program
Post Box No. 392
Semtokha, Thimphu
Phone: +975 (2) 351077
Fax: +975 (2) 351695
Email: bhutanorganic@moaf.gov.bt

Organic Regulations and/or Standards

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

National Organic Farming Framework (NFOFB)

Date of Implementation: 2007

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

Bhutan has the goal of becoming a fully organic country by 2020. In 2007, the Ministry of Agriculture launched NFOFB, which provides a broad structure for the promotion and institutionalization of organic farming. It is more of a policy statement and lacks legal basis for undertaking organic farming, particularly where foreign investments may needed. There are a few acts and legal instruments that indirectly refer to or support organic farming in food production, such as the Food Act of Bhutan, 2005, the Pesticides Act, 2000 and the Plant Quarantine Act, 1993. More explicit instruments with adequate legal basis will be needed to bolster organic farming. Bhutan needs clear legislation and its own standards for organic production based on internationally recognized systems such as the Codex Alimentarius.

Additional Information

A Guide to Organic Agriculture in Bhutan (2007)

Definitions

Definitions

Term

Definition

Health and Wellness

Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

Organic packaged foods and beverages

This category includes packaged food & beverages that are certified organic by an approved certification body. Organic production is based on:

• A system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.
• Organic food & beverages are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation.
• The use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organism) is prohibited. “Certified Organic” means the item has been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations.
• Depending on the country, such products are called ‘organic’, ‘biological’ or ‘ecological’: For organic products to be included under Euromonitor definitions, the organic aspect needs to form part of positioning/marketing of the product. This is an aggregation of organic baby food, bakery, confectionery, dairy, ice cream, oils and fats, ready meals, rice, sauces, dressings and condiments, snack bars, soups, spreads, sweet and savory snacks and other organic food.

Note that fresh food products or individual ingredients are not included in this definition.

Compound annual growth rate (CAGR)

The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is the average annual growth rate over a specified period of time. For instance, the CAGR consumption of from 2018 – 2021 will be the average growth rates across these three years.

USDA GATS data clarification

The data presented in table 2.4 represents the dollar values of the top 5 organic commodities as well as of the total organic exports of the trade partner for the period 2018-2021 as per the United States Department of Agriculture’s Global Agricultural Trade System, a database consisting of international agricultural, fish, forest and textile products trade statistics dating from the inception of the Harmonized coding system in 1989 to present.

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How to use this website

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) brings the US organic industry to developing markets around the world. This database is a comprehensive tool for OTA membership interested in participating in or expanding international trade in organic products by providing information to understand international markets for organic products. Select the country you wish to export to and find out whether it has an agreement with the United States, who its certifiers are, and much more.

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