For the last 10 years GP Pays Basque has been moving closer to organic methods of cultivation.
At present one producer in the group has organic certification, which allows the group to offer a range of certified organic products.
The rest of the production is classified as conventional agriculture, but uses the same methods as organic farming :
- Sustainable cultivation density : we grow a maximum of 2000 plants per hectare, with a minimum spacing of 60cm between lines and 40cm between plants. In this way we provide plants with conditions which give priority to quality rather than productivity. Maximum yield per plant is limited to 1kg of fresh peppers.
- Use of agricultural-origin organic matter : we feed the plants by feeding the soil. Applications are not systematic. Defoliants are prohibited.
- Plant protection thanks to natural pest predators
- Seed selection carried out by the producers: each year we select “ideal” peppers from which we extract the seeds to be sown the following season.
- GMOs are strictly prohibited
- Most weeding is done mechanically or by hand, around each plant
- Irrigation is forbidden except during the month following planting to ensure successful striking
- Crop rotation is used whenever possible
Waste management :
First waste management is on-plot: non-compliant peppers (after sorting or stalking) are used for compost and therefore add organic matter to soils in the following seasons
The producers’ group favours recyclable packaging (jars).
GP Pays Basque participates in the FAU campaign (disposal of used agricultural plastic film). Film is sent to a sorting centre for recycling and re-use.
The group and all the producers belong to Eco Emballage, thus reducing the impact of packaging on the environment. By contributing to Point Vert, we finance the collection, sorting and recycling of household waste.
GP Pays Basque also raises awareness among its collaborators regarding waste management in public buildings (sorting recyclable waste and household waste)