Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology in organic production?

Nanotechnology refers to an uprising field of technology dealing with matter on the atomic and molecular scale. Nano-particles are particles with a size range of 1 to 100 nm (1 nm = 1 nanometer = 1 billionth of a meter). Nanoparticles have several applications related to organic farming: packaging of food, coating of surfaces, processing aids, pesticides, veterinary medicine, treatment of textiles, ingredients for cosmetics (sunscreens). Nanotechnology is poorly defined and even more poorly regulated at the moment. It offers new prospects in several areas, but it also carries risks.

The organic sector has not yet decided whether nanoparticles should be allowed or prohibited, and if allowed, under what conditions. This page summarizes some of the discussions on nanotechnology in organic production.

Task force nanotechnology

At the IFOAM Organic World Congress 2008, the participants of the workshop «nanotechnology» decided that a task force nanotechnology should be established.

Events

Discussion meeting at BioFach Congress 2009

Nanotechnology in organic food production with a focus on packaging
Thursday, 19 February 2009; 16.00 to 17.30; Room Budapest
Details

Discussion meeting at BioFach 2008

• Bernhard Speiser, FiBL: Introduction (205 KB)
• Keith Ball, Soil Association: Presentation (25 KB)
• Franz-Theo Gottwald, Schweisfurth Foundation: Rechtsrahmen und ethische Forderungen für den Einsatz von Nanotechnologie (28 KB) (german)
• Klaus-Peter Wilbois: FiBL’s position to nanotechnology (30 KB)
• Demeter international: a position paper is currently in preparation and will be approved by the board in June 2008.
• European Environmental Bureau: a position paper is currently in preparation.
• Bio Suisse: a position paper is currently in preparation.

IFOAM World Congress 2008

Presentations held at the IFOAM Organic World Congress June 2008 in Modena

• Bernhard Speiser, FiBL: Nano-particles in organic production? Issues and opinions (205 KB)
  article
• Bernhard Speiser, FiBL: What is nano-techology? Definition and examples of potential applications (254 KB)
• Alexandra Hozzank, infoXgen: Nanotechnology - (non) existing regulations (145 KB)
• John Paull: Nano-in-food - Threat or Opportunity for Organic Food? (38 KB) (article)
• Anamarija Slabe, Institute for Sustinable Development (EEB): Elaborating EEB’s position on nanotechnologies (45 KB)
• Francis Blake, Soil Associoation: Nanotechnology – no place in organic food and farming? (25 KB) (presentation)
  article (25 KB)
• Results of the worksho (31 KB)

BÖLW Fachtag: Nanotechnologie in der Lebensmittelwirtschaft: Risiken und potenzielle Nutzen

June 2008, Berlin

• Sven Sängerlaub, Fraunhofer Institut für Verfahrenstechnik und Verpackung: Perspektiven der Nanotechnologie für verpackte Lebensmittel (1.4 MB)
• Sibylle Schroer, Julius Kühn-Institut: Perspektiven der Nanotechnologie für die Landwirtschaft (1.0 MB)
• BUND: Nanotechnologie im Lebensmittelbereich (1.6 MB)

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Links and documents relating to this topic

[Translate to Englisch:]

• FiBL: Diskussionspapier zum Einsatz von Nanotechnologien in der Bioproduktion (49 KB) (german)
• OECD: Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials
• European Commission: Nano Safety for Success Dialogue (October 2007)
• Nanotechnology Homepage of the European Commission
• European Nanotechnology Gateway: http://nanoforum.org/
• United States Environmental Protection Agency: Nanotechnology
• Swiss Federal Office for Public Health: Nanotechnologie (german)

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