The Minister of the Environment, Cristina Narbona, has presented the awards corresponding to the second edition of the “Organic Food and Biodiversity 2008” awards, organized by the Biodiversity Foundation. During this event, which was held today in Madrid, Cristina Narbona was accompanied by the director of the Biodiversity Foundation, María Artola, and by the president of the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture, Juana Labrador.

Together with the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of the Environment, the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture, SEAE, collaborates in the organization of the second edition of these awards. These awards are intended to stimulate and recognise the efforts made by the different actors in the organic food sector in defence of this agri-food model.

The awards ceremony was held at the VENTAS ECOLÓGICAS restaurant in Madrid, which was the winner last year of the first edition of these awards. Ventas Ecológicas was distinguished in the category of best establishment specialized in the sale of organic products.

The prizes are distributed in 10 modalities, four of them with a cash prize of 3,000 euros. In this way, it has sought to promote the dissemination and development of organic food, especially in the Spanish market.

These awards are intended to highlight the work of people and institutions that are committed to organic farming. The awards with economic endowment have been to the organic farmer or rancher, individual or family; to the consumer association or cooperative that is outstanding in the dissemination and distribution of organic food; journalistic dissemination work published in any media (press, radio, television or online media) on organic food; and to research, experimentation or innovation/transfer work in organic agri-food.

The jury for the “Organic Food and Biodiversity 2008” awards was made up of representatives of the Biodiversity Foundation, the Ministry of the Environment and the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture, SEAE.

All the winners have received a statue of the artist Antonio Ramos. The work, entitled “Principle” and made of polyester resin, should be analyzed as a permanent harmony between the earth and man, as a sensitive individual, who wants water and earth to sustain and nourish everything.