News agency: number of eco farms in Šumava increased by 12 in 2009

The number of eco farms in the Šumava area increased by 12 in 2009, bringing the number of ecological farms there to 95, a regional centre representative has told the ČTK news agency. 20,000 hectares are being used for eco farming purposes. The head of the PRO-BIO association described eco farms in Šumava as being small and family-run, sometimes integrated within local eco tourism. Eco farms shun the use chemicals in production, as well as artificial growth stimulation in animals. Some local eco-farmers told ČTK their products had been drawing marked interest from consumers, saying they were having difficulties to meet demand.