Biodynamic Preparations under threat

Biodynamic agriculture is threatened by new legislation designed to prevent the spread of BSE and other diseases. Tough new rules came into effect on May 1st 2003 concerning the use of animal materials including those needed to make the biodynamic preparations. This hygiene regulation affects the handling, use and disposal of all animal by-products not used in food production.

Faced with this challenge, concerted action is now underway across Europe in order to gain a special derogation for the production of biodynamic preparations. It will no doubt be a long and difficult process but given the relatively minute quantities of animal by-product material required, the fact that no case of BSE has ever been found on an established biodynamic (Demeter certified) farm anywhere in the world, that organic waste materials are re-integrated into the farm system and all round environmental sustainability is a high priority for biodynamic farms, there is hope that in the end common sense will prevail.

To support the ongoing campaign to enable the continued production and use of the biodynamic preparations some resource material has been prepared. Apart from what is now included on this website, additional support material is available from the office. Updated news will be added as the situation develops.

Biodynamic preparation materials - update March 2003 (MS Word)
Short description of the biodynamic preparations (MS Word)
Biodynamic preparations - research and application (German 181 kb) (MS Word)
Quality assurance for the production of the biodynamic preparations (MS Word)
Risk Assessment for the production of Biodynamic Preparations (MS Word)
List of producers of Biodynamic Preparations (worldwide) (Word document)

External Links to:

Regulation (EU) 1774/2002 (html page)

Regulation (EC) 999/2001 (pdf file)

TSE (England) Regulations 2003 (pdf file)