PRO-BIO Svaz ekologických zemědělců, z. s. (PRO-BIO)

The only nationwide Czech association of organic farmers, organic food processors and retailers, active since 1990, with its head office in Šumperk and regional centres across the country. It advises on conversion to organic farming and on inspections, represents organic farmers towards the ministries and promotes organic food. It is a member of IFOAM Organics Europe. It does not certify; certification is done by independent control bodies (e.g. KEZ, ABCERT, Biokont).

Membership is voluntary and can be ended at any time once all obligations are settled. Organic farmers, processors, wholesalers, service companies, advisers, schools, research institutes, and consumers and friends of organic food can join. Farmers belong to the regional centres.

• at least 1,000 CZK

For organic farmers, based on farmed area: up to 50 ha a basic fee of CZK 500 + CZK 40/ha, at least CZK 1,000; over 50 ha a basic fee of CZK 1,000 + CZK 40/ha, at most CZK 19,000 a year. Processors and wholesalers: CZK 2,000 up to CZK 3 million organic turnover, CZK 5,000 above. Organic shops CZK 1,100 (each further shop CZK 550), schools and NGOs CZK 1,000, service companies, advisers and research institutes CZK 2,000.

Fee basis: area/volume-based

• Help with organic registration, preparation for inspection and certification
• An adviser present at the inspection (on request)
• Information on organic subsidies and on interpreting the rules
• Training, field days, study trips, members' newsletter
• Promotion of members' products, information on sales outlets
• Self-help fund: loans for machinery, animals, produce purchase, natural disasters

• pro-bio.cz
• pro-bio.cz — O svazu
• pro-bio.cz — Členství
• pro-bio.cz — Členské příspěvky
• pro-bio.cz — Služby členům ekozemědělcům
• pro-bio.cz — Kontakt
• IFOAM Organics Europe — taglista