The Proposal for a new Regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products was approved by the
Agricultural Committee of the EU Parliament on 22nd November.
Organic farming plays a dual
role, both in meeting the increasing consumer demands for organic products and
in promoting sustainable farming. The aim of the new Regulation is to balance
promoting sustainable organic farming with the internal market meaning promoting
consumer interests as well as the interests of EU farmers.
Some of the key changes
introduced by the new Regulation include that in the future imported organic goods
will have to comply with EU rules on organic products rather than equivalent
standards. The stricter standards for imported goods are meant to translate to
increase consumer confidence in organic produce. That rule will apply after 2025,
following a transitionary period of 5 years.
Avoiding contamination of organic
food from pesticides is another important issue as farmers will have to take
precautions. Still it will be allowed for farms to combine conventional and organic
production provided the two activities are clearly separated. Furthermore,
measures will be taken to boost organic production, such as increasing supply
of organic food and animals and making it easier for small farms to get organic
certification.
The new Regulation is designed to
deliver an increased level of consumer trust by ensuring the high quality of products
as well as improve the clarity of the information provided to consumers about
organic products, in a market where consumers have high expectations.
Yet, the new Regulation, and the
benefits it can deliver for consumers, will be only as good as its enforcement.
The EU Parliament has been crucial in ensuring that the enforcement procedures
are not undermined. It secured that organic farming had its own rules on
controls rather than centralising them as the EU Commission envisioned.
Furthermore, controls will not be limited to the final product but will happen
all throughout the production cycle.
If the EU Commission is serious about
increasing consumer confidence in organic products it needs to be vigilant in supervising
the control bodies that offer accreditation.