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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,…

Protecting our soils across the EU

In July, the European Commission published its proposal on a Soil Monitoring and Resilience law. As IFOAM Organics Europe, we…

Agreement on nature restoration law: Important signal to transform farming

Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council reached a final agreement on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). As European organic…
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…

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…

IFOAM Organics Europe at SANA exhibition - 7-8 September 2023, Bologna, Italy

On 7-8 September, IFOAM Organics Europe’s Director Eduardo Cuoco was present at the 35th International exhibition of organic and natural…
11/09/2023
Events GMOs

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…
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…
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…
12/07/2023
Biodiversity

Nature restoration law adopting gives hope for food & farming systems

BRUSSELS, 12 JULY 2023 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law by MEPs today. Jan…
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…
12/06/2023
Biodiversity

Farmers want nature restoration

On 15 June the European Parliament’s Environment Committee will vote on their report on the Nature Restoration Law. Organic farmers…
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…
22/05/2023
Biodiversity

Nature restoration, crucial for resilient food & farming systems

BRUSSELS, 22 MAY 2023 – Biodiversity protection and well-functioning ecosystems are essential for food production. But the Commission’s proposal on…

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…

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…

Political Hotspot March 2023

After a postponement in November 2022, on 22 March 2023 the European Commision’s proposal for a Directive on substantiation and…
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…
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…

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…

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…
08/02/2023
Events GMOs

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…

Registration to IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business 2020 closes next week. Secure your spot!

IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business 2020 is around the corner! In a little more than two weeks we will meet…
23/11/2020
Biodiversity

Sign the petition to call on Europe to save the bees and farmers!

More than 400.000 participants have already signed the European Citizens’ Initiative to ‘Save bees and farmers’ and you can add…

1 million citizens are calling on the Commission: Our forests are in danger, act now!

One million people demand EU law to stop deforestation More than a million people have so far called for a…

How will the EU Green Deal change Europe’s food prices change? Join our colleague Silvia online to get an idea!

On 12 November from 15:30-17:00, Silvia Schmidt, our food policy officer, will take part to the online event “The Green…

IFOAM Organics Europe meets business – Agenda available! 8-9 December, online

Save the date for the next “IFOAM Organics Europe meets business” taking place online on 8-9 December 2020. “Bringing the…
15/10/2020
Biodiversity

Why is it important to save the bees and farmers? Watch this video

As part of their ongoing campaign, the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Save bees and farmers!’ has released a set of…

Save the date for ‘Improving sustainability and welfare in organic poultry and pig production’, an online conference - 25-26 January 2021

It is with great excitement that OK-Net EcoFeed announces its final project conference bringing together four research projects: OK-Net EcoFeed,…

Members can re-watch farmers’ workshop on CAP, animal welfare label & access to land - 2 October 2020, online

With crucial CAP negotiations ahead, starting discussions on an EU animal welfare label, and IFOAM Organics Europe’s ongoing work within…
17/09/2020
GMOs

Reveal of a detection method for a gene-edited rapeseed - What is the significance and why is there a controversy?

A regulation is only worth so much as it can be enforced. This is why on 7 September, an open…

Help protecting our forests by demanding deforestation free supply-chains – Together4Forests

Forests and other ecosystems are under pressure worldwide: A total of 13 million hectares are deforested each year and almost…

Smaller, greener, healthier? Sustainability of livestock farming in Europe

On Wednesday 9 September, Kurt Sannen, Chair of IFOAM Organics Europe’s Interest Group of Organic Farmers, participated in the online…
07/09/2020
GMOs

First open source detection test for a gene-edited GM crop

This press release was first published by Greenpeace EU Brussels, 07 SEPTEMBER 2020 – Greenpeace, together with other non-governmental organisations,…

Read about heather as an alternative to control worms in sheep in RELACS’ news story

Anthelmintic resistance is spreading globally, impacting the environment and animal welfare. As the organic sector we are seeking non-chemical complements…
03/06/2020
GMOs Seeds

European Patent Office: No patents on conventionally bred varieties

On 14 May 2020, the enlarged board of appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has released an opinion that…

More than 100 tuned in to online OK-Net EcoFeed Thematic Group meeting!

On Tuesday 26 May 2020, the Thematic Group meeting brought Innovation Groups involved in the OK-Net EcoFeed project together with external interested…
 
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