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 Coordinator Professor with Habilitation at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (Portugal), he is a Full Member of CESAM at the University of Aveiro (Portugal) and a Collaborating Member of Green-it at the NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal). As a student, he studied at the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (Portugal), the University of Verona (Italy) and the University of Lisbon (Portugal), and completed his PhD in Economics at the University of Coimbra (Portugal). He has served as an external expert for various Portuguese and European Union institutions/programmes, participates in a range of national and international projects, and has authored/co-authored numerous scientific publications.

Jelena Ružić, mag. oec. is the director of the CEKOM 3LJ Institution and has many years of experience in management, development and implementation of business strategies, establishment of international and national cooperation, and experience in managing projects financed by EU funds. She has participated in the development of various public strategies such as the Strategy for Human Resources Development of the Split-Dalmatia County and the Development Strategy of the City of Split until 2030. She is currently participating in the development of the Development Plan of the City of Trilj until 2030 as a member of the Partnership Council. She is an MC member of COST Action CA23123 weedingMAPs.

Anja Vieweger is Leader of 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 the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Wädenswil, Switzerland, and an M.Sc. in Biodiversity from the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom. Following an apprenticeship as a vegetable grower, she worked as a researcher at FiBL Switzerland before joining the Organic Research Centre (ORC) in England as a Senior Researcher from 2011 to 2020. Since returning to FiBL in 2020, she has led research and advisory activities in organic vegetable and herb production, with a particular focus on participatory research, sustainable production systems, and the principles of organic agriculture. She coordinates and contributes to numerous national and international research projects, collaborates closely with farmers, growers, and research institutions, and serves in professional and scientific leadership roles, including as Chair of the COST Action CA23123 weedingMAPs. She has authored numerous scientific publications and is actively engaged in advancing innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable practices in organic horticulture.

Anja Vieweger is Leader of 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 the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Wädenswil, Switzerland, and an M.Sc. in Biodiversity from the University of Plymouth, United Kingdom. Following an apprenticeship as a vegetable grower, she worked as a researcher at FiBL Switzerland before joining the Organic Research Centre (ORC) in England as a Senior Researcher from 2011 to 2020. Since returning to FiBL in 2020, she has led research and advisory activities in organic vegetable and herb production, with a particular focus on participatory research, sustainable production systems, and the principles of organic agriculture. She coordinates and contributes to numerous national and international research projects, collaborates closely with farmers, growers, and research institutions, and serves in professional and scientific leadership roles, including as Chair of the COST Action CA23123 weedingMAPs. She has authored numerous scientific publications and is actively engaged in advancing innovation, knowledge exchange, and sustainable practices in organic horticulture.

Tadeusz Pęczek is a senior expert in agronomy, agricultural engineering, soil science, and bioeconomy with extensive experience across academia, public administration, and international development. He holds an MSc from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), where he also served as Assistant Professor in agronomy, soil physics, and soil biochemistry.

He has held key leadership roles including Director of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department in the Kielce region, Director of the EU Pre‑accession Fund for Polish Agriculture and Rural Development (FAPA), and team member for the World Bank Agriculture Sector Adjustment Loan.

Tadeusz Pęczek is co‑founder of several influential organizations—among them the Chamber of Commerce “Grono Targowe Kielce”, the Association for Integration and Development (SIR), and the Polish Bioeconomy HUB. He is also founder and long‑term manager of EPRD – Office for Economic Policy and Regional Development and the Pro Civis Foundation.

His expertise spans regional development, partnership and clustering, knowledge transfer, and innovation ecosystems, with a career dedicated to connecting science, policy, and practice for sustainable growth.