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Raffaele Zanoli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Improving controls in Organic farming by timely inspections: a statistical analysis
Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 2017Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:This paper investigated if the inspection procedures in Organic Certification may be improved exploiting information that is generally available from the control bodies involved in the certificatio...
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Risk assessment in EU Organic Certification system: a systematic literature review
2014Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:This paper provides an overview of the recent studies on risk-based inspection in EU Organic Certification systems with the aim to evaluate the most relevant risk factors or farm types that are more likely associated with non-compliance. We have conducted a systematic revision of the literature regarding risk-based Certification in EU Organic farming. Our analysis provides a new systematic approach yielding a structured qualitative summary of the results of the publications.
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Effectiveness of Organic Certification: a study on an italian Organic certificator's data.
2013Co-Authors: Raffaele Zanoli, Danilo Gambelli, Francesco SolfanelliAbstract:The aim of this paper is to implemnt risk-based models for the inspection procedures in the Organic Certification. particularly, the aim is to analyse the the relationship between the type of sanction a farm receives, and the farm's structure and productions, aiming at the definition of potential risk factors.
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Can the inspection procedures in Organic Certification be improved? Evidence from a case study in Italy
2013Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:The aim of this paper is to analyze if the effectiveness of the inspection procedures in the Organic Certification is conditioned by measurable structural and managerial factors under control of Organic control bodies (CBs), and if there is scope for possible improvements. The analysis is based on data from the archives of the largest Italian Organic CB, containing information on operators’ characteristics, including a qualitative discrete risk score defined by the CB, inspectors’ characteristics, type of inspection and the outcome of the inspection, in terms of noncompliance detected and sanctions imposed. The aim is to analyze factors that could make an inspection more effective. Our measure of effectiveness is the number of detected noncompliance per inspection visit. No specific literature on this issue is available, therefore on the basis of available information we develop a set of hypothesis concerning measurable factors that might have an effect on the effectiveness of the inspections. Discrete choice models are used to estimate the likelihood of noncompliance conditional to a set of covariates concerning risk assessment of the operators, inspectors characteristics, and modalities of the inspections. Different models and their distributional assumptions are discussed and tested. Results show that there is scope for an increase of effectiveness of inspections, and the particular relevance of two factors: samples taken during the inspection and timing of the visit are confirmed as significant factors increasing the likelihood of both slight and severe noncompliance.
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Non compliance in Organic Certification: determinants for Italy
2011Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:Organic Certification is based on controls on operators, and verify if they are compliant with respect to Organic regulations. Control procedures are a transaction cost that affect Organic farming relative competiveness. Here we propose an analysis aiming at increasing the efficiency in the individuation of key risk factors in the Organic Certification process. The study refers to Italian Organic farmers and represents an attempt to implement a risk based inspection scheme based on a statistical approach.
Alexander Zorn - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Introduction to the special section on Organic Certification systems: Policy issues and research topics
Food Policy, 2014Co-Authors: Stephan Dabbert, Christian Lippert, Alexander ZornAbstract:This article introduces a special section in Food Policy that discusses Organic Certification systems. Among the various issues in this field, the three articles in this special section address (i) the determinants of farmers’ decisions regarding whether to utilise Organic production practices and whether to apply for Organic Certification; (ii) consumer preferences for different Organic labels; and (iii) how to organise effective risk-based inspections. Key policy recommendations derived from this special section include continuously striving to reduce the transaction costs of all actors in the Organic Certification process, implementing a risk-based inspection system based on the collection of adequate farm data by Certification bodies and harmonising the supervision of the Certification system within the EU.
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Economic analysis of Organic Certification systems : determinants of non-compliance and optimum control strategies
2012Co-Authors: Alexander ZornAbstract:Organic Certification systems are prerequisite for the existence of a large-scale Organic food market. Despite a well-established and generally effective control system, fraud regarding Organic food that passed Organic controls is detected regularly. This cumulative thesis consisting of four articles addresses current questions regarding the improvement of Organic Certification systems. The need for governmental supervision of an Organic Certification system run by private control bodies is demonstrated by a game theoretic model. A framework prepares the statistical analysis by conceptually linking factors that can influence Organic control results. The case study on German supervision data from the years 2006 to 2008 reveals significant differences between private control bodies regarding the number of severe sanctions imposed, i.e. fundamental control results. These data that were collected for supervision of the control system, however, are not sufficient to explain these differences. This is due to shortcomings in the data collected. Key terms of the data are not defined and the variable definitions seem to change over time. This study concludes that there is more detailed and reliable data from Organic control bodies needed to understand the determinants of non-compliance with an Organic standard. Detailed data on Organic farm controls from the years 2007 to 2009 were supplied by two control bodies. Theoretical considerations founded on the ?Economics of Crime? approach yield hypotheses on factors affecting non-compliance with an Organic standard. The data provided by a German and a Swiss control body are analysed by two different logistic regression models. The probability of receiving a sanction (which is used as proxy for non-compliance) is estimated on farm level by using data on farm and farm production. Such an approach to assess the determinants of non-compliance has not been used previously in the literature. Given the gradual sanction system, an ordinal logistic regression model is appropriate for the analysis of the German data. Swiss data are analysed by a random effects logistic regression model. Both models confirm some of the factors contributing to the risk of non-compliance that are applied in qualitative risk assessment so far. Control results from previous years, the overall farm complexity and the farm livestock production complexity, as well as farm size are factors that increase the probability of receiving a sanction. Risks connected to specific crops or livestock types that could come along, e.g., with particular requirements of the production method cannot be confirmed across the models. The explanatory value of both models is likely to be improved by the integration of further variables, such as data on farmers? personal and financial characteristics. The heuristic model builds on the results of the econometric models. This model adopts a societal view on the control system by considering the costs of controls and the damages resulting from non-compliance with an Organic standard. Monte-Carlo simulations illustrate the relationship between important parameters for optimising control strategies. These simulations show that even without fines a situation can occur where most operators comply. The different approaches to analyse control data encounter difficulties inherent to the control data. In this context, the dark figure consisting of undetected non-compliances, inhomogeneous detection probabilities linked to particular production methods, and a potential positive confirmation bias connected to the risk based control approach are especially relevant. The working hypothesis that these potential biases are distributed randomly deserves closer attention in subsequent studies. Such future analysis should be based on even more detailed data, e.g., pooling original data from different control bodies in a control system. Such a data base would allow focusing on severe non-compliances which occur only rarely. Furthermore, pooled data could be used to investigate issues that are fundamental for the supervision of a control system such as a control body effect on the detection of non-compliance. This thesis presents important results that can be consulted for further analysis of Organic control systems. Beyond, the approach, the methods used, and the results obtained are of general relevance for food Certification systems beyond the Organic sector. Systeme zur Zertifizierung okologischer Produktion (Oko-Kontrollsysteme) sind die notwendige Voraussetzung fur die Existenz eines grosraumigen Marktes fur okologische Lebensmittel. Trotz eines etablierten und im Allgemeinen wirksamen Kontrollsystems kommt es regelmasig zur Aufdeckung von Betrugsfallen, die der Oko-Kontrolle entgangen sind. Die vorliegende kumulative Dissertation besteht aus vier Artikeln, die aktuelle Fragestellungen behandeln, wie Oko-Kontrollsysteme verbessert werden konnen. Einleitend wird anhand eines spieltheoretischen Modells die Notwendigkeit fur die staatliche Uberwachung eines Kontrollsystems, das auf privaten Kontrollstellen basiert, aufgezeigt. Die Kontrollergebnisse beeinflussende Faktoren werden systematisch dargestellt. Auf dieser Basis werden deutsche Daten, die zur Uberwachung des Systems in den Jahren 2006 bis 2008 erhoben wurden, statistisch untersucht. Diese Untersuchung zeigt, dass es zwischen Kontrollstellen signifikante Unterschiede hinsichtlich wesentlicher Kontrollergebnisse gibt. Die Daten zur Uberwachung des Systems konnen jedoch nicht zur weiteren Analyse der Ursachen dieser Unterschiede beitragen. Dieses Manko resultiert aus der Unzulanglichkeit der erhobenen Daten: fur die Erhebung wesentliche Begriffe sind nicht definiert und die Definition von Merkmalen scheint sich im Zeitverlauf zu andern. Die Analyse zeigt, dass detailliertere und verlasslichere Daten erforderlich sind, um die Bestimmungsgrosen fur die Nichteinhaltung von Oko-Standards besser zu verstehen. Detaillierte Daten der Oko-Kontrolle landwirtschaftlicher Betriebe wurden von einer deutschen und einer Schweizer Kontrollstellen fur die Jahre 2007 bis 2009 zur Verfugung gestellt. Hypothesen zu Faktoren, die die Nichteinhaltung des Oko-Standards beeinflussen konnen, werden mit Hilfe des Ansatzes der ?Economics of Crime? abgeleitet. Mittels okonometrischer Modelle wird die Sanktionswahrscheinlichkeit eines Betriebs geschatzt, die als Proxy-Variable fur die Nichteinhaltung des jeweiligen Oko-Standards genutzt wird. Dieser Ansatz zur Bestimmung von Faktoren, die die Nichteinhaltung beeinflussen, wurde bisher in der wissenschaftlichen Literatur noch nicht dokumentiert. Die Daten der deutschen Kontrollstelle beinhalten abgestufte Sanktionen. Daher werden diese mittels eines ordinalen logistischen Regressionsmodells analysiert. Zur Analyse der schweizerischen Kontroll-Daten wird ein logistisches Random-Effects-Panelmodell verwendet. Beide Modelle bestatigen einige der bislang in der Praxis zur Analyse des Risikos der Nichteinhaltung benutzten Kriterien. Die Kontrollergebnisse der Vorjahre, die Komplexitat der landwirtschaftlichen Betriebe insgesamt sowie die tierproduktionstechnischen Herausforderungen als auch die Betriebsgrose erhohen dieSanktionswahrscheinlichkeit. Ein mit besonderen Frucht- oder Tierarten verknupftes Risiko, das sich z.B. aus besonderen Anspruchen eines bestimmten Produktionsverfahrens ableiten liese, kann uber die Modelle hinweg nicht festgestellt werden. Der nicht vollig zufriedenstellende Erklarungsgehalt beider Modellansatze legt nahe, zukunftig Variablen zu berucksichtigen, die bisher nicht erhoben wurden. Insbesondere personliche Eigenschaften des Betriebsleiters oder Daten zur finanziellen Lage des Betriebs konnten den Erklarungsgehalt erhohen. Ein heuristische Modell baut auf den okonometrischen Modellen auf und untersucht das Kontrollsystem aus volkswirtschaftlicher Sicht, da es die Kosten der Kontrolle gemeinsam mit den Schaden der Nichteinhaltung eines Oko-Standards berucksichtigt. Die Zusammenhange zwischen relevanten Bestimmungsgrosen werden mittels Monte-Carlo-Simulationen beleuchtet, um Ruckschlusse zur Optimierung des Kontrollsystems zu ermoglichen. Diese Simulationen zeigen, dass selbst ohne Geldbusen ein Zustand eintreten kann, bei dem ein Grosteil der Landwirte den Standard einhalt. Die zur Analyse verwendeten Ansatze sind jeweils mit typischen, den Kontrolldaten anhaftenden Schwierigkeiten verbunden. Dazu gehoren die Dunkelziffer der unentdeckten Nichteinhaltung, unterschiedliche Aufdeckungswahrscheinlichkeiten sowie ein moglicher positiver Bestatigungsfehler, der aus der Anwendung von risikobasierten Kontrollansatzen resultieren kann. Die dieser Arbeit zugrunde liegende Arbeitshypothese, dass diese moglichen Verzerrungen jeweils zufallig verteilt sind, sollte in zukunftigen Untersuchungen auf der Basis noch differenzierterer Daten naher erforscht werden. Eine breitere Datengrundlage konnte die verlassliche Analyse schwerer Nichteinhaltungen ermoglichen, die selten vorkommen. Uberdies wurde es solch ein Datensatz erlauben, fur die Uberwachung des Kontrollsystems wesentliche Fragestellungen zu uberprufen. Dazu gehort zum Beispiel die Existenz eines Kontrollstelleneffektes auf die Kontrollergebnisse.
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Modelling risk-based inspections in EU Organic Certification:data requirements and analysis tools
2011Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Alexander Zorn, Stephan Dabbert, Christian Lippert, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:A Risk Based Inspection (RBI) scheme is a planning tool used to develop the optimum plan for the execution of inspection activities. Organic Certification system could benefit from the implementation of RBIs in terms of higher effectiveness, i.e. trustability, and lower transaction costs for Organic operators. Data from Certification bodies provide basic information about non-compliances and structural aspects of Organic operators. Here we propose a methodological approach to risk analysis modelling, based on discrete choice models and Bayesian networks, both aiming at the identification of key risk factor in the Organic Certification process in the European Union.
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Modelling risk-based inspections in EU Organic Certification:data requirements and analysis tools
2011Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Alexander Zorn, Stephan Dabbert, Christian Lippert, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:A Risk Based Inspection (RBI) scheme is a planning tool used to develop the optimum plan for the execution of inspection activities. Organic Certification system could benefit from the implementation of RBIs in terms of higher effectiveness, i.e. trustability, and lower transaction costs for Organic operators. Data from Certification bodies provide basic information about non-compliances and structural aspects of Organic operators. Here we propose a methodological approach to risk analysis modelling, based on discrete choice models and Bayesian networks, both aiming at the identification of key risk factor in the Organic Certification process in the European Union.
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Economic Concepts of Organic Certification
2009Co-Authors: Alexander Zorn, Christian Lippert, Stephan DabbertAbstract:Certification is a key element in marketing Organic food products. Based on economic theory, this report wants to illustrate the economic reasoning for Certification. The intention is to provide a description of economic concepts, which is understandable for a wider audience. We are focusing on the basic economic literature. Chapter 1 “Organic Certification system” describes the current control system in the European Union. Why this is necessary, will then be explained based on a synopsis of economic literature. Of specific significance for Organic Certification and the CERTCOST project are the concepts of institutional economics and economics of crime. The relevant points of economic theory will be presented and discussed in chapter 2 “Theoretical framework”. Finally, the costs and benefits of Organic Certification will be illustrated in chapter 3 “Costs and benefits of Organic Certification”.
Federica Murmura - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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what s behind Organic Certification of extra virgin olive oil a response from italian consumers
Journal of Food Products Marketing, 2018Co-Authors: Lolita Liberatore, Nicola Casolani, Federica MurmuraAbstract:ABSTRACTOrganic Certification represents a growing business in international food market. In this article, an analysis of the factors influencing the purchase of Organic extra-virgin olive oil is done for Italian consumers. A k-means cluster analysis was used to identify market segments. Results showed that it is possible to classify the Italian market into three clusters, respectively, indicating high, intermediate, and low willingness to pay a premium price (WTP) for Organic Certification of extra-virgin olive oil. Safety, nutritional, and health aspects appear to influence WTP. Factors concerning environmental sustainability and the supports to Italian food system are considered important, but do not play a fundamental role in increasing the consumer’s WTP.
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What’s behind Organic Certification of extra-virgin olive oil? A response from Italian consumers
Journal of Food Products Marketing, 2018Co-Authors: Lolita Liberatore, Nicola Casolani, Federica MurmuraAbstract:ABSTRACTOrganic Certification represents a growing business in international food market. In this article, an analysis of the factors influencing the purchase of Organic extra-virgin olive oil is done for Italian consumers. A k-means cluster analysis was used to identify market segments. Results showed that it is possible to classify the Italian market into three clusters, respectively, indicating high, intermediate, and low willingness to pay a premium price (WTP) for Organic Certification of extra-virgin olive oil. Safety, nutritional, and health aspects appear to influence WTP. Factors concerning environmental sustainability and the supports to Italian food system are considered important, but do not play a fundamental role in increasing the consumer’s WTP.
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What’s behind Organic Certification of extra-virgin olive oil? A response from Italian consumers
Journal of Food Products Marketing, 2018Co-Authors: Lolita Liberatore, Nicola Casolani, Federica MurmuraAbstract:Organic Certification represents a growing business in international food market. In this article, an analysis of the factors influencing the purchase of Organic extra-virgin olive oil is done for ...
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what s behind Organic Certification of extra virgin olive oil a response from italian consumers
Journal of Food Products Marketing, 2018Co-Authors: Lolita Liberatore, Nicola Casolani, Federica MurmuraAbstract:Organic Certification represents a growing business in international food market. In this article, an analysis of the factors influencing the purchase of Organic extra-virgin olive oil is done for ...
Ulrich Hamm - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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UK consumer reactions to Organic Certification logos
British Food Journal, 2013Co-Authors: Catherine L Gerrard, Laurence G. Smith, Meike Janssen, Ulrich Hamm, Susanne PadelAbstract:Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider whether UK consumers recognise and trust Organic Certification logos and whether the presence of these logos on a product increases consumer willingness to pay for that product.Design/methodology/approach – To ascertain the reaction of UK consumers to Organic Certification logos commonly used in the UK, this study makes use of three methods: focus groups, a consumer survey and a willingness to pay experiment (choice experiment).Findings – These three approaches reveal that UK consumers associate certain benefits with Organic foods but are generally unaware of how the industry is regulated. With regards to trust of the logo, the standards they think underlie the logo and the inspection system that they think is associated with the logo, UK consumers rate the Soil Association and Organic Farmers and Growers logos more highly than the EU logo or products labelled with just the word “Organic”. They appear willing to pay a premium for the additional assurance ...
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Factors influencing the perception of Organic Certification logos in Turkey
2013Co-Authors: Ö. Karahan Uysal, Canan Abay, Murat Boyaci, Meike Janssen, B. Mıran, Ulrich HammAbstract:Consumers’ perceptions on Organic Certification logos and the factors influencing these perceptions were explored. Data from surveys conducted in major cities of Turkey revealed that Organic food consumers had little knowledge about logos, although the declared level of trust in Organic logos was high. According to ordered logit models, consumer’s perceptions on Organic Certification logos were influenced by purchasing frequency and weight of Organic foods in total food consumption. Dummy variables representing additional private Certification company logos as well were generally found to have a significant effect on logo perception. This result suggests that consumers’ attitudes towards these logos and towards the governmental logo are not the same. Female and older people were more sceptical about the trustworthiness of the logos. While the credibility of the logos and the standards and control systems underlying the logos increased as frequency of purchasing Organic food increased, those consumers who prefer Organic open markets for buying Organic food were hesitant to trust the credibility of the Organic Certification logos. The mandatory governmental logo and the underlying standards are trusted more than the private company logos. However, the difference of the attitudes toward logos decreases when the control system is in question. When a comparison between perceptions towards labels including different additional Certification companies’ logos is made, the additional logo was found to affect the stated preferences more negatively when the companies were foreign. Enhanced interest and trust in the Organic Certification logos among consumers would foment the development of the Organic sector, and the findings of this paper serve as an input for the achievement of this aim.
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product labelling in the market for Organic food consumer preferences and willingness to pay for different Organic Certification logos
Food Quality and Preference, 2012Co-Authors: Meike Janssen, Ulrich HammAbstract:Product labelling with Organic Certification logos is a tool for signalling consumers that a product is a certified Organic product. In many European countries, several different Organic labelling schemes exist in the market. The aim of this paper is to elicit whether consumers prefer certain Organic labelling schemes over others, to give recommendations for market actors in the Organic sector. By means of choice experiments and structured interviews with 2441 consumers of Organic food in six European countries, consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for different Organic logos were analysed. The results of the random parameter logit models showed that the WTP differed considerably between the tested logos. Consumer perceptions of Organic labelling schemes turned out to be of subjective nature and in many cases not based on objective knowledge. We conclude that it is advisable to label Organic products with well-known Organic Certification logos that consumers trust. Organisations owning an Organic labelling scheme should put effort into measures for increasing consumer awareness of the logo and forming consumer perceptions and attitudes regarding the underlying scheme in terms of standards and control regime.
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CONSUMER WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY FOR DIFFERENT Organic Certification LOGOS IN TURKEY
Revista De Cercetare Si Interventie Sociala, 2012Co-Authors: Ö. Karahan Uysal, Canan Abay, Murat Boyaci, Meike Janssen, B. Mıran, Ulrich HammAbstract:Using data from focus group discussions with consumers and a choice experiment conducted in some of Turkey’s major cities, this study investigates whether Turkish consumers prefer certain Organic labelling schemes over others attempts and to elicit their willingness to pay (WTP) for different Organic Certification logos. Although the level of awareness regarding Organic Certification logos was low, consumers’ perceptions of the logos were generally positive. The results of the random parameter logit models indicated a positive WTP for the presence of one of the three tested Certification body logos in addition to the mandatory governmental logo. Given the low level of Certification logo awareness, the conclusion is that both purchasing decisions and perceptions regarding logos were affected by subjective criteria. Both the government and Certification bodies should develop measures to increase consumer awareness of their logos and form consumer perceptions and attitudes regarding the quality of the Certification implied by the logo.
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Consumer preferences and willingness-to-pay for Organic Certification logos: Recommendations for actors in the Organic sector. Report of the CERTCOST project
2011Co-Authors: Meike Janssen, Ulrich HammAbstract:In many European countries, a variety of different Organic Certification logos and schemes is found in the market. In the countries of the European Union (EU), the new mandatory EU logo for Organic food was introduced in July 2010, so that other Organic logos can only be used in addition to the mandatory EU logo. Within the CERTCOST project, consumer perceptions, preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) regarding different Organic Certification logos were investigated. The seven study countries were Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom. The overall objective was to give recommendations for actors in the Organic sector regarding the use and promotion of Organic Certification logos. Firstly, an inventory study was conducted in shops with an Organic food range in autumn 2008 to get insights into the spectrum of different Organic Certification logos in the market and the extent of price differences among products with different Organic logos. The analysis showed that the importance of different kinds of logos differed considerably between the study countries. Only a few significant price differences between products with and without certain Organic logos were found. Secondly, consumer perceptions, preferences and WTP regarding different Organic logos as well as consumer views on a mandatory EU logo were investigated by a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods of consumer research (focus group discussions conducted in spring 2009, choice experiments and structured interviews conducted in early 2010). The results revealed that consumers had a low level of factual knowledge about Organic production standards and the Organic control system. Nevertheless, consumers clearly preferred certain Organic logos more than others. Different kinds of Organic logos were preferred across the countries. In Denmark and the Czech Republic, consumers were willing to pay a considerably higher price premium for the governmental logo than for the other tested logos. In Germany, a high WTP was recorded for the logo of the farmers’ association Demeter and the governmental logo. In Italy, the old EU logo reached the highest WTP. In Switzerland, the logo of the farmers’ umbrella organisation Bio Suisse was clearly preferred. In Turkey, consumers were willing to pay the highest price premium for the logo of the Certification body Ecocert. In the UK, the WTP was the highest for the logos of the Soil Association and the Certification body ‘Organic Farmers & Growers’. In all countries, products without a logo just labelled with the prefix ‘Organic’ were not trusted. The introduction of a mandatory EU logo was generally welcomed by the participants. However, trust in the underlying standards and the control system was not very pronounced except in Italy. The report briefly outlines the methods and results, while the focus lies on recommendations for different actors in the Organic sector with regard to the use and promotion of Organic Certification logos. To increase consumer trust in the new mandatory EU logo, it is recommended that promotion campaigns should be carried out explaining what the logo indicates. Regarding the investigated governmental logos, it is recommended that their use should be continued, at least in a transition period, since a high level of consumer trust in the logos was recorded. For Organic Certification logos of private organisations it is recommended that their use should only be continued for logos that offer a clear ‘added value’ compared to the EU logo.
Danilo Gambelli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Improving controls in Organic farming by timely inspections: a statistical analysis
Biological Agriculture & Horticulture, 2017Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:This paper investigated if the inspection procedures in Organic Certification may be improved exploiting information that is generally available from the control bodies involved in the certificatio...
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Risk assessment in EU Organic Certification system: a systematic literature review
2014Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:This paper provides an overview of the recent studies on risk-based inspection in EU Organic Certification systems with the aim to evaluate the most relevant risk factors or farm types that are more likely associated with non-compliance. We have conducted a systematic revision of the literature regarding risk-based Certification in EU Organic farming. Our analysis provides a new systematic approach yielding a structured qualitative summary of the results of the publications.
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Effectiveness of Organic Certification: a study on an italian Organic certificator's data.
2013Co-Authors: Raffaele Zanoli, Danilo Gambelli, Francesco SolfanelliAbstract:The aim of this paper is to implemnt risk-based models for the inspection procedures in the Organic Certification. particularly, the aim is to analyse the the relationship between the type of sanction a farm receives, and the farm's structure and productions, aiming at the definition of potential risk factors.
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Can the inspection procedures in Organic Certification be improved? Evidence from a case study in Italy
2013Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:The aim of this paper is to analyze if the effectiveness of the inspection procedures in the Organic Certification is conditioned by measurable structural and managerial factors under control of Organic control bodies (CBs), and if there is scope for possible improvements. The analysis is based on data from the archives of the largest Italian Organic CB, containing information on operators’ characteristics, including a qualitative discrete risk score defined by the CB, inspectors’ characteristics, type of inspection and the outcome of the inspection, in terms of noncompliance detected and sanctions imposed. The aim is to analyze factors that could make an inspection more effective. Our measure of effectiveness is the number of detected noncompliance per inspection visit. No specific literature on this issue is available, therefore on the basis of available information we develop a set of hypothesis concerning measurable factors that might have an effect on the effectiveness of the inspections. Discrete choice models are used to estimate the likelihood of noncompliance conditional to a set of covariates concerning risk assessment of the operators, inspectors characteristics, and modalities of the inspections. Different models and their distributional assumptions are discussed and tested. Results show that there is scope for an increase of effectiveness of inspections, and the particular relevance of two factors: samples taken during the inspection and timing of the visit are confirmed as significant factors increasing the likelihood of both slight and severe noncompliance.
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Non compliance in Organic Certification: determinants for Italy
2011Co-Authors: Danilo Gambelli, Francesco Solfanelli, Raffaele ZanoliAbstract:Organic Certification is based on controls on operators, and verify if they are compliant with respect to Organic regulations. Control procedures are a transaction cost that affect Organic farming relative competiveness. Here we propose an analysis aiming at increasing the efficiency in the individuation of key risk factors in the Organic Certification process. The study refers to Italian Organic farmers and represents an attempt to implement a risk based inspection scheme based on a statistical approach.
