The organic sector in the pandemic – focus on health, rethinking Values, and a turn towards ecology
BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food, and VIVANESS, the International Trade Fair for Natural and Organic Personal Care, will be held purely digitally in 2021,
from 17–19 February, as BIOFACH / VIVANESS 2021 eSPECIAL.
In response to the current rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the global organic sector will hold its annual “class reunion” in a virtual “classroom.” The eSPECIAL has three main focuses:
exhibitor presentations, networking, and the conference. But the pandemic is causing changes and expanding digitalisation in more than just event formats. Apart from its impact on health, the
economy, and society, it has also turned a spotlight on the need for a change in ecological practices and eating habits as well as movements for transformation. So the conference at BIOFACH 2021
eSPECIAL will be focusing on a highly topical subject – transformation, and how various social movements can advance it even better together: Shaping Transformation. Stronger. Together.
Our planet’s equilibrium has been seriously disrupted – as is evident in our climate, the soil, water, other natural resources and species diversity, just to name a few aspects. But we’re currently
also seeing something else: solidarity and values are becoming workable; established relationships and sustainable systems are proving their worth and are resilient. Yet the experts agree – the
global organic movement that has grown up on the basis of these values also needs a transformation that looks to the future at every stage of the value chain.
The organic transformation has to take place not just out in the fields – it also needs a new way of thinking about eating habits and consumer behaviour. Last but not least, a constructive,
communal structuring of change with the participation of a wide range of allies, a transformation at every level: for the climate, for greater biodiversity, for greater fairness in the supply
chain, and for food justice. In 2021, the international organic movement will be discussing exactly these issues at BIOFACH eSPECIAL.
