News
Political Hotspot December 2023
With an eye on next year’s elections, the EU institutions have geared up work on many important dossiers. But rushing…
14/12/2023
GMOs
The hidden dangers of NGTs in the EU: key takeaways from our 30/11/2023 press conference
These videos were recorded during a press conference held by IFOAM Organics Europe on 30/11/2023, urging Members of the European…
08/12/2023
GMOs
Can we (gene) edit our way to sustainable agriculture?
We argue “No”. NGTs, so called New Genomic Techniques, are touted as making agriculture more sustainable by tweaking individual traits…
30/11/2023
GMOs
Policymakers should respect organic movement's choice not to use NGTs
BRUSSELS, 30 NOVEMBER 2023 – Speaking at an online press conference this morning, Jan Plagge, President of IFOAM Organics Europe,…
28/11/2023
Climate change
Parliament votes on Carbon Removal Certification Framework: Cautious welcome
The European Parliament’s Plenary has voted on their position on the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes…
We can't eat promises! Good Food Good Farming protest
On 8th November, our staff members took part to Good Food Good Farming’s protest in front of the EU Parliament.…
02/11/2023
Food policy
Commission President, ensure a framework for Sustainable Food Systems
The current EU Commission promised to transition to more sustainable, healthier, and affordable diets. This is both their commitment to…
19/10/2023
GMOs
European Parliament should uphold ban for all NGTs in organic in rapporteur's report
BRUSSELS, 19 OCTOBER 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe, the voice for organic food and farming in Europe, is strongly against…
15/10/2023
GMOs
Policy process of new EU legislation on “New Genomic Techniques” in full motion – Organic movement needs to be on high alert
After the publication of the legislative proposal on so-called “New Genomic Techniques”, the policy process in the European Union institutions…
12/10/2023
Food policy
Advocating for transformative minimum standards in public canteens
On 10 October, representatives of local and national governments attended ‘Promoting Social Innovation through public canteens’ where a class from…
Celebrating life – a few highlights from th September 2023 Newsletter!
Recently we issued the last edition of our newsletter. Wondering why it’s interesting for you? We have prepared a quick…
Six-fold increase in organic seeds needed in the next ten years in Europe – 2nd European Organic Seed Policy Conference shows pathways to make organic seeds a reality
The Spanish Presidency of the European Union put a spotlight on rural areas and agricultural resilience during a High-level Rural…
Political hotspot
The EU’s State of the Union (SOTEU), a moment during which the Commission President reflects upon past achievements and lays…
GMO-free Europe conference - 7 September 2023
On 7 September, the 10th GMO free Europe conference gathered policymakers, scientists, farmers, and representatives of the organic and the…
Promoting social innovation through public canteens! Join us at the EU Week of Regions and Cities
On 10 October, we are organising a high-level workshop Promoting Social Innovation through public canteens to advocate for the implementation…
07/09/2023
Climate change
European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee focusses on monetisation of carbon credits
Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (COMAGRI) voted on their opinion on carbon farming in…
01/09/2023
GMOs
Organic sector calls on agriculture ministers to prioritise agroecological innovation over techno-fixes
BRUSSELS, 1 SEPTEMBER 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe urges Agriculture Ministers to uphold a systemic approach of innovation and sustainability…
IFOAM Organics Europe partners with NATEXPO for a fairer and more transparent EU food system
IFOAM Organics Europe is glad to represent the European perspective at NATEXPO for another year. NATEXPO is the leading international…
25/07/2023
GMOs
What are new GMOs and what’s at risk? Watch our new video
In July 2023, the European Commissions published its legislative proposal on “New Genomic Techniques”. We have the pleasure to announce…
05/07/2023
GMOs
NGT proposal a step backward for biosafety, freedom of choice and consumers' information
BRUSSELS, 5 JULY 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe considers the Commission’s proposal to deregulate “New Genomic Techniques” (NGTs) as misguided,…
22/06/2023
GMOs
European organic movement resolution: No hidden GMOs, system-based approach to innovation
BRUSSELS, 22 JUNE 2023 – In a resolution adopted yesterday at its General Assembly, the European organic movement re-affirms that…
Jan Plagge re-elected President of IFOAM Organics Europe
BRUSSELS, 21 JUNE 2023 – At today’s General Assembly, IFOAM Organics Europe’s membership elected a new Board and Jan Plagge…
26/05/2023
Climate change
Council and Parliament are advancing on their positions on the Industrial Emissions Directive
The European Parliament’s Committees on Environment and Agriculture have voted on their reports on the revision of the EU Industrial…
26/05/2023
Food policy
Launch of the FPC report on the Sustainable Food Systems Law: Policy recommendations for a meaningful transition
On 25 April, the Food Policy Coalition (FPC) held its first in person-meeting in Brussels to launch its report “Sustainable…
26/05/2023
GMOs
300+ organizations unite to send strong signal to Frans Timmermans, demanding a shift to evidence-based sustainability food systems rather than unfounded hope on new GMOs
More than 300 organizations signed a letter sent to Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal in the…
Political Hotspot May 2023
The proposal for an EU nature restoration law is facing major opposition, recently leading to the rejection of the whole…
National CAP Strategic Plans: On the road to achieving the 25% organic target
The Horizon Europe project OrganicTargets4EU supports the achievement of the targets set by the EU’s Farm to Fork and Biodiversity…
ECO-READY: Developing a European Observatory for short and long-term food and agriculture resilience strategies
The ECO-READY project aspires to identify climate-change drivers affecting food security and biodiversity across Europe. The comprehensive understanding of the EU…
20/04/2023
Food policy
Sustainable Public Procurement: strategic lever towards a more sustainable food system - new infographics
Sustainable public procurement has countless benefits that make it a strategic lever to trigger a change in the food system.…
Sustainable school meals as catalysts for food system change
On 22-23 March, during the conference titled ‘Small Farm to Fork Procurement’ and held at the ICLEI Brussels office, IFOAM…
The multiple benefits of organic for climate and biodiversity – visualised in our new infographic
The systemic approach of organic farming contributes to climate mitigation, supports the adaptation of farmers to the consequences of climate…
22/03/2023
GMOs
EU environmental ministers give clear signal to Commission to maintain precautionary principle & risk assessment for NGTs
On 16 March, the Council meeting of environmental ministers sent a decisive message to the European Commission as a large…
Green claims: The fight against greenwashing must be based on methodologies promoting the transition towards more sustainable food systems
BRUSSELS, 22 MARCH 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes the publication of the Substantiating Green Claims initiative by the Commission,…
08/03/2023
GMOs
We want to be able to choose! Ensure GMO-free food production.
Update 23.03.2023: Junges Bioland initiated an online petition on this topic, addressed to Olaf Scholz, Germany’s Prime Minister, and to…
20/02/2023
Climate change
IFOAM Organics Europe at carbon farming panel discussion
IFOAM Organics Europe has been invited to participate to the event “Carbon farming – New potential for farmers or Greenwashing?”.…
February 2023 Newsletter - Multilingual Edition
Read this Special Newsletter edition in CZ, DE, ES, FR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PL, PT, RO Welcome note Dear reader, Welcome to a very special edition of our newsletter. At…
13/02/2023
GMOs
European Court of Justice decision on ‘in vitro’ mutagenesis strengthens 2018 ruling subjecting gene editing to EU GMO Directive
The recent ruling by the European Court of Justice, published on 7 February, closes a 2015 case brought forward by…
EU organic movement warns against greenwashing
BRUSSELS, 13 FEBRUARY 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe warns against the misuse of claims, labels, or communication initiatives about food…
Study on the environmental impacts of achieving 25% organic land by 2030 published
The European Union’s ambitious Farm to Fork Strategy target of 25% organic farmland by 2030 is a clear statement of…
Successful GMO petition handover to the Commission
On February 7, environmental, agricultural, and consumer rights organizations gathered in front of the European Parliament in Brussels to officially…
06/02/2023
GMOs
New year, old narratives – Why genetic engineering is (still) not the solution to food security
The European Commission kicked off 2023 by publishing a report on the drivers of food security, recognising the value of…
Welcome note December 2021 newsletter
Dear readers, 2021 has been another turbulent year, again with great successes and challenges. Just like last year, I would…
15/12/2021
Climate change
Sustainable Carbon Cycles: New EU Communication
On 15 December, the European Commission presented its Communication on ‘Sustainable Carbon Cycles’. On the one hand, the Communication addresses…
14/12/2021
GMOs
Commission event: Can New Genetic Engineering Techniques (NGETs) be sustainable?
The European Commission invited stakeholders, public officials, and politicians for a high-level event to discuss their plans to launch new…
14/12/2021
Food policy
Organic in sustainable food public procurement: numerous benefits for a low-hanging fruit
Recent European initiatives related to food policies, among which the Farm to Fork Strategy, Organic Action Plan, and new legislative…
IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business: Bridging business and EU policies, 7 December, online
On 7 December 2021, players from the whole (organic) supply chain – including processors, traders, retailers, and certifiers – joined the…
EU releases soil strategy & plans legal initiative in 2023
On 17 November, the European Commission published the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 together with a proposal for a regulation…
15/11/2021
Climate change
COP26: Outcomes relevant to food, land & agriculture
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) took place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. Even though…
Political hotspot October 2021 newsletter
26 October marked the final day for final contributions to the Commission’s inception impact assessment (roadmap) on the Sustainable Food…
Welcome note October 2021 newsletter
Dear readers, Autumn has reached Europe, and unlike nature at this time of year, our work is not slowing down.…