On Sunday 3 July 2016, the BIOG-Molkerei in Bascharage and the Lycée technique agricole d'Ettelbruck (LTA) became the recipients of the eighth "Bio-Agrar-Präis" for organic farmers.

The awards were bestowed before a large gathering of guests by Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection, Fernand Etgen, who praised the continuous investments made by the LTA to integrate organic production and sustainable development methods into its programmes. Since 2010, a total of 2.3 hectares of agricultural land and greenhouse crops were converted to organic farming, whilst the Lycée also promotes organic agriculture and horticulture in various projects.

In addition, Minister Etgen honoured the efforts of BIOG-Molkerei, a milkhouse which has implemented an independent and autonomous processing of organic and Luxembourg milk. With the new dairy plant, BIOG-Molkerei and in collaboration with a Belgian milkhouse, an exclusive range of products from Luxembourg organic milk and new opportunities for dairy producers have been created, all the while offering a fair price to affiliated producers for every litre delivered.

This year's winners were selected from among four candidates by a jury of ten individuals from various backgrounds.

The "Bio-Agrar-Präis" was first started in 2009 with the objective of rewarding merit in organic farming. The €4,000 prize can be awarded to individuals, organisations and companies active in the organic sector, from production and processing to trade and research, or who have provided special support to organic agriculture in Luxembourg.

In 2014, the award was split into two, €2,000 categories: organic farmers and processors, distributors and organisations active in the organic sector.

The award forms part of the national action plan to promote organic farming, which aims to actively support the development of organic agriculture in Luxembourg and has included this year the publication of various brochures as well as demonstrations of the farm network.

 

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