When exploring organic tea certifications or the AB label in France, the Agence Bio, France's agency for the development and promotion of organic agriculture, is impossible to overlook. This agency is one of the key public-interest bodies championing the consumption of organic products.
Its role in advancing French organic farming is wide-ranging and essential.
Information, development and promotion of organic farming: the missions of the French Agence Bio
Founded in November 2001, the Agence Française du Développement & de la Promotion de l'Agriculture Biologique, commonly known as the Agence Bio, is a public interest group.
This national platform for information and action is dedicated to the promotion, development and structuring of organic agriculture across France. It is also the body through which producers apply for AB certification.
The agency is organised around 5 departments:
- Communications
- Observatory and information systems
- Organic futures and sector development
- Out-of-home catering
- Environment and territories
Making data, news and national figures freely accessible
Based in Montreuil, the Agence Française du Développement & de la Promotion de l'Agriculture Biologique is France's counterpart to IFOAM (the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements).
Similar organisations exist around the world.
Each year, these agencies carry out an enormous amount of work:
- they collect thousands of data points on consumption across the organic sector;
- they connect millions of partners;
- they support new organic farms in launching or growing their operations;
- they help producers convert their agricultural land to organic methods.
Bringing together millions of stakeholders and connecting the players of organic farming
The Agence Bio counts several major national organisations among its members:
- the Ministry of Agriculture and Food;
- the Ministry of Ecological Transition;
- the Federation of French Chambers of Agriculture;
- the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives;
- FNAB;
- SYNABIO.
The agency works closely with partners who contribute to the growth of organic agriculture: environmental and consumer protection organisations, researchers, distribution networks, and public, professional and inter-professional bodies.
In addition to managing the official directory of organic agriculture professionals and the sector's latest news, the Agence Bio brings together:
- producers (farmers, livestock breeders, farms and agricultural cooperatives);
- processors and manufacturers;
- distributors and importers of organic products.
Through events and gatherings, the agency creates opportunities for the key players in organic food to meet and exchange. The goal is to ensure that the growing enthusiasm for organic products (including organic tea) continues to benefit French agriculture.
