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
CAP
European Commission launches technical workshops gathering input for new CAP
While the new CAP’s first year of implementation is finishing, the European Commission is intensively working to prepare the CAP…
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…
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…
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…
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
Labelling
Call for sponsors: Help support our new project on Sustainability Labelling for food
Join us as a sponsor of the IFOAM Organics Europe project on new Sustainability labelling and help us protect the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
25/01/2023
Labelling
EU organic movement takes legal action to defend reliable environmental labelling of food products
[disponible en français ci-dessous / available in French below] BRUSSELS/PARIS, 25 JANUARY 2023 – Actors involved in the ecological transition…
18/12/2020
Vision
They make it happen! Enriching plant genetic diversity by bringing landrace varieties back into people’s gardens and plates
Are you a researcher, producer, breeder or simply interested in organic seeds? Get inspired by the Hungarian Research Institute of…
14/12/2020
CAP
IFOAM Organics Europe President newly elected Vice-Chair of Civil Dialogue Group on the CAP
On Thursday 10 December, the Civil Dialogue Group (CDG) on the Common Agricultural Policy elected Jan Plagge, President of IFOAM…
14/12/2020
Vision
They make it happen! Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries Educational Network protects Crete’s national heritage
All over Europe, citizens are working to make food and farming systems fairer, environmentally conscious, healthy and caring. In Greece,…
Welcome note November 2020 newsletter
Dear readers, I would like to use this opportunity to look back on a turbulent year, marked with great successes…
Political hotspot November 2020 newsletter
The European Commission is set to publish the next European organic action plan (OAP) at the beginning of next year.…
27/11/2020
CAP
Start of CAP trilogues and recommendations to Member States
Only a few weeks after the votes on the CAP files in the European Parliament and the Council, the three…
25/11/2020
Vision
Lead by example! Check out inspiring initiatives from the organic sector and submit your own
Are you contributing to the transformation of European food and farming systems? Showcase your initiative at EUorganic2030.bio! To achieve the…
Our suggestions for the new Organic Action plan
The Commission is set to publish the next European organic action plan at the beginning of next year and has…
13/11/2020
Vision
They make it happen! Get inspired by Biopartner and help improve, inspire and deliver organic across Europe
Transforming European food and farming systems by 2030, the shared vision of the organic movement, means improving how we grow…
Political hotspot October 2020 newsletter
On 19–20 October, EU-27 agriculture ministers met in Luxembourg to adopt their general approach on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).…
CAP ‘reform’: Parliament's small steps not good enough for a green transformation of food and farming
BRUSSELS, 23 OCTOBER 2020 – This week, Members of the European Parliament voted on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and Agriculture Ministers reached an…
21/10/2020
Vision
Do you have an initiative that is transforming food & farming? Share it with us to get visibility & inspire others!
To make the EU Green Deal a reality, we will need to transform food and farming. The organic movement has…
Organic Movement calls on MEPs to align the CAP with the Green Deal ambitions
IFOAM Organics Europe has sent a press release to all Members of the European Parliament as they are voting on…
President letter to MEPs on the CAP Strategic Plan Regulation
Brussels, 12 OCTOBER 2020 Dear Member of the European Parliament, As President of IFOAM Organics Europe, the European umbrella organization…
12/10/2020
Vision
From vision to strategy: Develop your organisational strategy with our toolkit
Last month, we shared with you why it is useful to develop your organisation’s vision, and how you can do…
08/10/2020
Vision
They make it happen! Get inspired by Demeter Academy and their partners’ initiative to bring organic on every table in Germany
Taking over an organic farm or setting up your own new enterprise in the organic sector can be challenging. In…
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…
Open letter calling for full alignment of the reformed CAP with the European Green Deal
Together with NGOS and national coalitions from across Europe, IFOAM Organics Europe urges the President of the European Commission, the…
Political hotspot September 2020 newsletter
September marks the start of many things: the new school year, Autumn, or, if you frequent the EU bubble, the…
Welcome note September 2020 newsletter
Dear readers, On behalf of the European organic movement, I would like to welcome you back after the summer break.…
EU Parliament and Council close to adopt their position on CAP regulations
Are we entering the final stretch of the CAP negotiation process? After more than two years since the Commission published…