The Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL was founded in 1973 and has been situated in Frick (Switzerland) since 1997. It is an independent, non-profit research institute and one of the world’s leading research and information centres for organic agriculture and employs 300 people in Switzerland. The close links between different fields of research and the rapid transfer of knowledge from research to advisory work and agricultural practice are FiBL’s strengths. The competence of FiBL Switzerland is also sought after beyond the Swiss borders. Thus, FiBL is involved in numerous international projects – not only in research, consultancy and training but also in development cooperation. FiBL Switzerland is embedded in the European FiBL-network with additional locations of FiBL in Germany, Austria, Hungary (ÖMKi), France and a representation in Brussels (Belgium) through FiBL Europe. Since its foundation in 1973, FiBL Switzerland has worked to establish scientific foundations for organic farming and species-appropriate livestock management. In four research departments, the employees of FiBL Switzerland carry out research on soil sciences, crop sciences, livestock sciences and socio-economic issues. Its Department of Soil Sciences focuses on improving the efficiency and sustainability of cropping systems in terms of nutrients and other resources. The Department of Food System Science provides strong evidence for the sustainability decisions of farmers, companies and policy-makers.
Role in ReLEAF:
- Conducting pot experiments.
- Coordinating the sustainability assessment.
- Leading the environmental impact assessment of fertiliser application.
- Contributing to environmental impact assessment of early and mature fertiliser production and to data collection on user requirements and regulations.