Organics: Commission proposal for more and better
26 Mar 2014 01:08 PM
The European Commission has
published new proposals for a new Regulation on organic production and the
labelling of organic products. The EU organic market has quadrupled in size
over the last 10 years and rules need to be updated & adjusted so that the
sector can further develop and respond to future
challenges.
Commissioner for Agriculture and
Rural Development, Dacian Cioloş, said today: "The future of the organic
sector in the EU depends on the quality and integrity of the products sold
under the European organic logo. The Commission is looking for more and better
organic farming in the EU by consolidating consumer confidence in organic
products and removing obstacles to the development of organic agriculture. This
package is good for consumers and good for farmers. Consumers will have better
guarantees on organic food made and sold in the EU and farmers, producers and
retailers will have access to a larger market, both within and outside the
EU". "
The proposal focuses on three
main objectives: maintaining consumer confidence, maintaining producer
confidence and making it easier for farmers to switch to organics. The aim is
that organic farming remains close to its principles and objectives, so that
public demands in terms of environment and quality are met. The Commission
proposes in particular:
-
to strengthen and harmonize
rules, both in the European Union and for imported products, by removing many
of the current exceptions in terms of production and controls;
-
to reinforce controls by making
them risk-based;
-
to make it easier for small
farmers to join organic farming by introducing the possibility for them to sign
up to a group certification system;
-
to better address the
international dimension of trade in organic products with the addition of new
provisions on exports; and finally
-
to simplify the legislation to
reduce administrative costs for farmers and improve
transparency.
To help organic farmers,
producers and retailers adjust to the proposed policy changes and meet future
challenges, the Commission has also approved an Action Plan on the future of Organic Production in Europe. The
Plan foresees to better inform farmers on rural development and EU farm policy
initiatives encouraging organic farming, to strengthen links between EU
research and innovation projects and organic production and to encourage the
use of organic food, e.g. in schools.
Background
The proposal, which will now be
submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council, builds on the findings
of a broad consultation process that started in 2012 and which included a
series of hearings with EU and international experts on organic production. A
public consultation carried out in 2013 met a strong
interest from the public (with 45 000 replies, mostly from
"consumers" rather than "producers"). It highlighted the
public's concerns with environmental and quality issues and showed a clear
demand for strengthened and more uniform organic rules throughout the
EU.
Organic farming combines best
environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of
natural resources and high production standards based on natural substances and
processes. It provides for a specific market responding to a specific consumer
demand while at the same time delivering public goods in terms of environmental
protection, animal welfare and rural development.
More
information
-
http://europa.eu/
rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-215_en.htmMEMO/14/215
-
Organic farming
website (see sections: EU POLICY/ Policy development and Latest
News)
-
Info graphics "The EU organic (R)evolution"
-
Report "Facts and figures on organic agriculture in the European
Union"