At a time when the blue economy is gaining significant importance, and when traditional salt pans contribute greatly to biodiversity and blue carbon storage, a law is about to be approved by the European Commission that will authorize any salt producer, industrial or mine, to to put the organic seal on their product, even if they do not respect the production techniques of the organic regulation defined by EU 2018/848.
How, then, can consumers know whether the salt they are consuming really respects the principles governing organic production? Can we consumers believe in today's organic label?
It should be noted that Council Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament of May 30, 2018 defines: “Organic production is a global system of agricultural management and food production that combines the best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, the application of high standards of animal welfare and a production method in accordance with the preference of certain consumers for products produced using natural substances and processes”.
How can we allow, at a time of climate crisis across the world, these laws to be ignored, made more flexible? In who's name? In favor of what interests? How can we allow that, in the face of an upcoming crisis, small producers will once again close their doors?
Industrial salt uses heavy machinery and fossil energy for extraction, the salt is sanitized and bleached artificially, not preserving the more than 80 trace elements present in seawater and beneficial to human health.
Mine salt uses the “continuous grinding” technique, which requires non-renewable energy. It is known that drilling and cutting extraction systems create cavities and destroy underground areas. Techniques that are not compatible with the general principles of the European regulation (article 5a): “respect natural systems and cycles and maintain and improve soil conditions (…)”
What will happen when the organic label is given to traditional sea salt, industrial salt and mine salt?
The competitive advantage that will be given to industrial and mine salt will eventually extinguish the small traditional sea salt producer. It is obvious that a type of seasonal production, such as traditional salt, which respects the rhythms and characteristics of the weather and which does not use heavy machinery and artificial drying and cleaning processes, cannot produce the same quantity, with the same speed and consequently it cannot practice the same prices.
If both have an organic label, but one of them manages to be cheaper, it will not be possible for the small producer to survive.
Therefore, in addition to deceiving the consumer, who will be buying an “organic” product that goes against the organic regulation defined by EU 2018/848 (i.e. non-organic), we will be compromising the continuity of traditional sea salt on the market .
Losing traditional sea salt means losing a centuries-old technique, a tradition. When we say goodbye to the guardians of these wetlands, there will be a reduction in the biological capital and a decrease in carbon fixation, which is increasingly necessary for the survival of man on the planet.
Despite being contacted – Agrobio, CPADA – Portuguese Confederation of Associations for the Defense of the Environment, SPEA (Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds), DECO (Consumer Defense) –, there was no response and no pronouncement on this matter.
It is sad that a group of small producers of traditional sea salt has been forced to join efforts with industrial salt in order to gain some voice before the European Commission, joining those who will help to their own extinction.
It is therefore important to develop an awareness campaign that can distinguish the different modes of production and their impact, in order to increasingly preserve our ecological and cultural capital.
It is important that we demand fair and coherent laws that increasingly defend the interests of the planet and allow loyal coexistence between different market agents. It is important to sensitize politicians to defend small producers and the interests of all Portuguese people.
Author: Susana Travassos is a psychoanalyst and singer (and producer of traditional salt)
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