|
|
More than 30 years ago the priorities of nature conservation issues on the Hungarian
Grate Plain came to the front as a consequence of the establishment of the first National
Park (Hortobágy National Park) of Hungary (1973).
The unfavourable production conditions in the protected and puffer areas of the Hortobágy
National Park and the implementation of the conservation regulations have stimulated the
development of the sustainable and conservation minded agricultural management
activities.
The Hortobágy Public Company for Nature Conservation and Gene Preservation has continuously
been switching its operation to organic since its establishment. Up today, managing the 17000
ha and 3000 animal units, it is the larges organic producer of Hungary. The Association of
Hungarian Ecological Farmers was established at Hortobágy in 2000; its 25 largest producers
are covering the 50% of the organic areas of Hungary. Furthermore, the Organic Association
of East-Hungary, of which 320 members are managing 40.000 ha covered by the National Park's
operation, was also established at Hortobágy. Four years ago the Fish Farm of Hortobágy
-managing 5500 ha of fishponds- has also switched its entire activity to organic production
and started the sale of organic fish.
Altogether more than one-third of the organically managed areas of Hungary are concentrated
in the Hortobágy region; so Hortobágy region is the top organic producer in Hungary.
The Hortobágy National Park in the course of its conservation activities -following the new
tendencies- is assigning a great importance of the nature friendly management systems and
supporting their spreading and development. Moreover, the National Park considers these exclusive
and special gastronomic organic products as the National Park's own products and defining the
area as an ECOREGION (organic region).
The organic products of the Hortobágy Ecoregion, are brought and introduced on the market with
the offer of the National Park. These products have already successfully participated on different
organic fairs and events. Therefore in 2005, the largest organic producers of the Ecoregion and
the Directory of the National Park decided to cooperate in launching the products internationally
as well.
The World Organic Trade Fair (BioFach) has been organised annually by the IOFAM (International
Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements) in Germany since 1991. In the initial years the
BioFach was organised in Mannheim, Weisbaden and Frankfurt, however, since 1999 it has been
organised in the Messecenter of Nünberg. Last year 2245 exhibitors of 110 nations were present
on this event and 33.000 registered professionals have visited the fair.
The world fair in 2007 will be organised on 15-18 February. It will be the second time that
the organic producers of the Hortobágy region will participate under the single (union) name of
the Hortobágy Ecoregion on this fair. On this stand (Stand 302, Hall 5) the most typical organic
products of the National Park (products form Hungarian Grey Cattle, Mangalica Pig, Buffalo, Racka
Sheep, native organic freshwater fish products, dairy products, bakery products, palinka, wine,
honey, herbs etc.), the traditions (music, dance, clothing etc.) and the tourist offers of the
region will be presented.
Due to the Hungarian Grey Cattle trading the connection between Nünberg and Hortobágy relates back
to more hundred years. It is not an exaggeration to claim that because of the successful Hungarian
animal breading in the middle ages, the Hungarian Grey Cattle was able to conquer and lead both the
beef and the yoke-work markets of Europe. The Grey Cattle, which was driven from the Hungarian
Grate Plain to West-Europe, was a leader brand of its time. This bread was able to arrive in good
quality to the slaughterhouses of Western- Europe after walking hundreds of kilometres from Hungary.
Wide animal driving roads were running from Hungary to all of the directions of Europe. The Hungarian
Grey Cattle herds reached not only our main market Vienna but also cities like Nünberg, Strasburg
and Valencia. The last Grey Cattle market in Nünberg took place in 1713. According to the researches
of the historians, in the 17th century after a fire the population of the city was saved from the
starvation by the Hungarian Grey Cattle beef. In the old city of Nünberg a grey cattle monument
is still reminding us to the past. Therefore, the Grey Cattle products of the Hortobágy Ecoregion
will have a highlighted role at our stand.
|
|
