Review of Biofach 2025

Drawing attention to the issue of organic breeding has not lost its topicality and urgency. Decisions at EU level on the deregulation of new genetic engineering are still pending. This creates uncertainty for the organic sector, as it wants to continue to guarantee GMO-free food production in the future. To ensure that this remains the case, the development and dissemination of organic varieties is essential. However, the proportion of organically bred varieties in cultivation is still very low.

In order to send a strong signal against genetic engineering, bioverita presented itself at this year’s Biofach together with the umbrella organization Ökologische Pflanzenzüchtung in Deutschland e.V., Kultursaat e.V. and Ökologische Tierzucht gGmbH (ÖTZ). Following the special exhibitions in 2018/19, bioverita organized the Organic Breeding Meeting Point for the fifth time. Thanks to the close cooperation with the German Federation of the Organic Food Industry (BÖLW), this year’s stand was positioned in Hall 9 opposite the BÖLW.

Seven short presentations at the stand gave interested visitors the opportunity to talk to experts on the topic of genetic engineering deregulation and learn more about the organic breeding of plants and animals. A particular highlight was the presentation by Gaby Mergardt (University of Kassel, Organic Agricultural Sciences) on quality tests on various carrot varieties. In her research project, she was able to show that several varieties from organic breeding stood out positively in sensory tests and copper chloride crystallization images.

To make the qualities tangible, visitors to the stand were able to taste two carrot varieties in direct comparison. Kultursaat breeder Sebastian Vornhecke took the opportunity to let visitors taste his newly bred and recently bioverita-certified turnip Hedwig. Apple breeder Inde Sattler invited visitors to taste a promising apple breeding line from the Apfel:gut e.V. association. Not only in terms of taste, but also in terms of size, this breeding line already largely meets the high market requirements and shows the potential to become a real alternative for organic cultivation.

At the counter, many interested visitors stocked up on information material from the various breeding initiatives and seed dealers and got talking to breeders. They were also able to find out what “organic from the start” means on the field. Seeds and vegetable plants could be admired, touched and sniffed. Many visitors were fascinated to see carrots, onions, turnips and beet in a completely different light – namely as plants that sprout to form seeds. Products such as seed bags, labeled vegetables, flour bags and a loaf of bread from the Berger organic bakery in Reutlingen showed how “organic from the start” can be recognized along the entire value chain.

Despite the smaller area this year, the stand attracted many visitors with its natural and warm look. For many already active participants, it offered a forum for in-depth discussions and the development of new ideas. With this joint stand, it was possible to implement exactly what is needed in the current situation: a unified external presence with a strong signal for organic breeding as well as an inspiring exchange within the various initiatives.