Although aquaponics had its beginnings in the chinampas native to Mexico, the use of this technique to produce sustainable food is relatively new; it is for this reason that the laws in force in Europe prevent it from obtaining the BIO label. In contrast, in the United States, these rules have been updated for more than a decade; this has allowed companies working with aquaponics to prosper and, above all, to produce using a method that benefits the planet.
In short, the EU denies the BIO label to aquaponics technology for the simple fact that it does not grow in soil. However, there are many more factors to take into account. Here are some relevant points on this issue.
Aquaponics and European legislation
Shortly before 2007, the EU detected an increase in demand for organic products. As a result, it was decided to draw up legislation specifying the requirements for foodstuffs to be sold under the BIO label. The curious thing is that the preamble of this law states that ‘The development of organic production should continue to be facilitated, in particular by encouraging the use of new techniques and substances’. However, in practice this statement has been overlooked.
But what else does this legislation determine, and does aquaponics meet the conditions for the BIO label?
One of the rules is to improve environmental practices; aquaponic technology being a low-impact process and a sustainable technique, it certainly is. There is also talk about preserving natural resources, and in this action it can be said that aquaponics is even more effective than conventional agriculture, thanks to the fact that it saves up to 95% more water.
Finally, it is also mentioned that BIO-labelled products must be the result of natural substances and processes. In this case, it should be emphasised that the fertiliser used in aquaponics is nothing more than the metabolic waste of the fish, which is converted into high-quality fertiliser through a completely natural process carried out by specific bacteria.
So, if aquaponics meets these requirements more strictly compared to traditional crops, why can it not be considered for the BIO label?
The objectives of organic production
- Farm management systems must be ensured that:
- Respect natural systems and cycles, which preserve and improve the health of soil, water, plants and animals, as well as the balance between them. Aquaponics fulfils the preservation of a natural cycle, because in the end, it is nothing more than a representation of what happens in nature. It is a perfect-closed circuit, where microorganisms transform waste into nutrients, fertilising the plants. These plants then purify the water, which returns to the fish, which will then produce more waste.
- Make responsible use of energy and natural resources such as water, soil, organic matter and air. In addition to the considerable water savings, the aquaponic process does not exploit areas ─ which are currently in short supply ─ and it is possible to cultivate on non-fertile land.
- Recycle plant and animal wastes and by-products as resources for production. As mentioned above, in aquaponics, fish waste becomes a natural fertiliser for plants.
- Obtain quality products. Aquaponic production does not use chemicals, resulting in superior and healthier food.
- To offer a variety of food that responds to the demand of consumers, who demand products obtained through processes that do not harm the environment, human health, and the well-being of animals and plants. This point is of vital importance, and aquaponics more than fulfils it; with the aquaponic method it is possible to mitigate food supply problems, especially in those populations suffering from water shortages. Another relevant aspect is the productivity of the system, as more vegetables are obtained in less space and in less time (2-3 times faster than in regular agriculture). This is a result of the fact that in aquaponics, plants receive the nutrients they need in ideal quantities, and can devote all their energy to growth. In contrast, plants in soil have to struggle to find and absorb these nutrients, which are not always available.
On the other hand, animal welfare is also an important part of the principles of aquaponics. Aquaponic farming is capable of producing fish, and therefore natural fish stocks are not overexploited. Furthermore, in the aquaculture section of an aquaponic facility, fish are not grown at such high densities as in normal fish farms. It is therefore a less intensive culture that ensures a better welfare status for the fish.
What aquaponics does not deliver
What works against aquaponic technology is the requirement that the BIO-labelled product must come from soil-bound crops and nourish the plants with substances that come mainly from the soil ecosystem (i.e. the soil).
Considering that outside of this rule, aquaponics not only meets the requirements of the law, but improves every aspect and produces food in a more sustainable way, we must ask ourselves: is it time for the legislation to be updated and allow more innovative methods to be labelled BIO?
