THE STORY
The first stirrings of a biological movement date back to the end of the twentieth century in Berlin where the reform Haus were opened. They sold marketing health food and fought the alcoholism by offering a diet based on whole grain bread, fruit and vegetables with no additives. The theories of Mr. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) gave start to the biodynamic agriculture, later developed by his followers. A great influence was given in the 30s-40s by the British Sir Albert Howard and Lady Eve Balfour, who published in 1943"The living soil" and in the following year they founded the Soil Association, that is today the largest organization of organic producers in Britain. In Italy was founded in Milan in 1947 the Association for Biodynamic Agriculture. But the great development of the organic movement owes much of his fortune to the spreading of the environmental movements in particular in the last ten- fifteen years, together with the new research of harmony with nature raised by the New Age movement.

What is the biological agriculture?
It 's a method of production based on the EEC 2029/91 Law and complying, at the national, level with the ministerial decree 220/95. It defines a cultivation method based just on the natural products found in nature ie, excluding the use of any synthetic chemical substances (fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides). Biological agriculture means the development of a production model that avoids any over-exploitation of natural resources, particularly of land, water and air, using those resources within a framework that can last. To preserve the fertility of the soil, the biological farmers use organic material, using proper farming techniques, and avoiding any intensive exploitation.

The aims
The biological methods have two aims: - to eliminate the risk of contamination of the chemical, physical and biological fertility of the soil. - To obtain agricultural products without chemical residues.

What is a biological product and how can we recognize it?
It's a product which comes from a cultivation method with the strict rules complying with the EEC 2092/91 Law. Consumers can recognize the biological products by checking the label, which must indicate: -biological agriculture -EEC control system - the name of the control authority and the details of the ministry approval -the country of origin and the company code and logo.

Biological products are more expensive than conventional products
In general, biological production is more expensive. It requires a bigger use of manpower, yields are slightly lower, there is a big quantity of waste, fertilizers and pesticides are often more expensive.

So why shall we choose biological products?
Because they involve quality and have a better impact on environment and health, they are GMO-free and they have the guarantee of a control system and certification. Because due to the farming techniques used, they are generally safer than the others in hygienic- sanitary terms. Various studies show that the nutritional value of the organic products is often higher than any conventional products. Because knowing what you eat means to know how the food is produced in all its steps, from the farm to the stores. Because in this way we are better friends of the environment; the biological agriculture minimizes the release of residues in the soil, air and water, it keeps the natural soil fertility, it safeguards the complexity of the farming system and its biodiversity, it spares the energy. Because it frees us from GMO products spread in the environment, affecting human health and gives people the opportunity possibility to choose what to produce and how to eat. The way proposed by the genetically modified agriculture is the contrary of the one proposed by biological agriculture. For this reason their coexistence is impossible.