This paper gives an overview of the state of research and extension in the countries
of the EU and EFTA and a more detailed view of the situation in the German
language region, including information on the transfer of research results into
agricultural practice, the transfer of the needs of agricultural practice to research and
the state of applied research. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture
Movements (IFOAM) and its regional groups in Europe and their activities; needs in
organic farming research from an IFOAM regional perspective, as well as European
research networks are described. For this paper a number of sources were used:
Input came from the IFOAM regional groups as well as from experts on organic
agriculture in the countries of Europe. For the situation in the German language
region a survey was conducted among organic advisers and inspectors.