This open access book provides insights into the current political and legislative framework within the European Union and in each of its Member States, which may act as drivers or barriers to the implementation of non-chemical management practices and technologies in the production of aromatic and medicinal plants.

The book presents the results of research carried out by interdisciplinary teams on non-chemical weed management in medicinal and aromatic plants, as part of the COST CA23123 project, and is of practical interest to students, academics and agroforestry producers. The European Union has a set of strategies for climate and biodiversity, as well as a range of instruments within the Common Agricultural Policy, which are worth analysing in terms of their impact and relationship with the aromatic and medicinal plant sector. Furthermore, it is important to understand the decision-making process at farm level, and this is also addressed in the book. There are a number of factors relating to farmers’ perceptions, technological availability and needs, labour availability, consumer pressures, market functioning and the legislative framework that influence farmers’ decisions. Finally, the book addresses the involvement of stakeholders in the aromatic and medicinal plant sector.

Vítor João Pereira Domingues Martinho is a Coordinating Professor with Habilitation at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Portugal. He is a Full Member of CESAM at the University of Aveiro and a Collaborating Member of Green-it at NOVA University Lisbon. He studied at the Universities of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Verona, and Lisbon, and earned a PhD in Economics from the University of Coimbra. He has served as an external expert for Portuguese and EU institutions, participated in numerous national and international projects, and authored/co-authored many scientific publications.

Jelena Ružić, mag. oec. is Director of the CEKOM 3LJ Institution. She has extensive experience in business strategy development and implementation, international cooperation, and management of EU-funded projects. She has contributed to key public development strategies, including “2030 City of Split Development Strategy“, and currently serves on the Partnership Council for the “2030 City of Trilj Development Plan”. She is also an MC Member of COST Action CA23123 weedingMAPs.

Anja Vieweger leads the Vegetables & Herbs Group in the Department of Crop Sciences at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Switzerland. She holds a Diploma in Horticulture from Zurich University of Applied Sciences and an MSc in Biodiversity from the University of Plymouth. After training and working as a vegetable grower and researcher, she served as Senior Researcher at the Organic Research Centre (UK) from 2011–2020. Since returning to FiBL, she has led research and advisory work in organic vegetable and herb production, focusing on participatory research and sustainable production systems. She coordinates numerous international projects and serves as Chair of COST Action CA23123 weedingMAPs. She has authored numerous scientific publications and actively promotes innovation and sustainability in organic horticulture.

Tadeusz Pęczek is a senior expert in agronomy, agricultural engineering, soil science, and bioeconomy. He holds an MSc from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), where he also worked as an Assistant Professor. His leadership roles include Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department in the Kielce region, Director of the Foundation of Assistance Programmes for Agriculture (FAPA), and team member for the World Bank Agriculture Sector Adjustment Loan. He is the co-founder of several organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce “Grono Targowe Kielce,” the Association for Integration and Development (SIR), and the Polish Bioeconomy HUB. He also founded and managed EPRD – Office for Economic Policy and Regional Development and the Pro Civis Foundation. His work focuses on regional development, innovation, knowledge transfer, and sustainable growth.