FIBL, founded in 1973, is the world’s largest research establishment for organic agriculture, employing 120 staff members in Switzerland, 15 in Germany, and 1 in Austria. FIBL’s strengths include close links between different fields of research and the rapid transfer of knowledge from research to advisory work and agricultural practice.
FiBL has a long-standing commitment to the international development of organic agriculture. It works closely with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and other international organizations. FiBL has highly competent staff with extensive expertise in organic soil management, plant production, holistic animal health, animal welfare, and organic animal breeding, socioeconomics (including comprehensive analyses of organic markets), and in organic food processing and distribution.
FiBL does much practical research and places a high priority on knowledge transfer into agricultural practice through advisory work, training courses, and expert reports. It employs a wide range of communication and dissemination tools, including magazines, technical leaflets, reference books, video, and the internet.
FiBL has undertaken numerous projects in Eastern Europe, India, Latin America, and Africa, promoting the development of organic research and services as well as advisory and certification services.
SAFOSO is a Swiss consultancy and capacity-building company founded in 2003 by the former director of the Swiss veterinary authority. It works towards achieving the global goals of animal health, food safety, and food security for consumers and the sustainable trade in animal-derived food products, such as meat and milk. SAFOSO works with private companies, governments, international organizations, consumer groups, diagnostic companies, and academic institutions – whichever are the relevant stakeholders. SAFOSO emphasizes the pre-harvest food-chain because food safety management is at its most effective when it begins early in the production process. Its technical expertise is the foundation of all of SAFOSO’s work. Its staff remains scientifically up-to-date to provide the best available knowledge to its clients.
