News
![Political Hotspot December 2023](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/PoliticalHotspot-2-420x540.png)
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…
![The hidden dangers of NGTs in the EU: key takeaways from our 30/11/2023 press conference](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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…
![Can we (gene) edit our way to sustainable agriculture?](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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…
![Fostering EU-international cooperation in research & innovation to transform agri-food systems](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/12/Soil-event_30-May-2023-420x540.png)
Fostering EU-international cooperation in research & innovation to transform agri-food systems
Right before the EU’s annual Agricultural Outlook conference, TP Organics held its event EU-international cooperation in research & innovation to…
![Policymakers should respect organic movement's choice not to use NGTs](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_healthysoils-420x540.jpg)
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…
![European Parliament should uphold ban for all NGTs in organic in rapporteur's report](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-1-420x540.png)
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…
![Policy process of new EU legislation on “New Genomic Techniques” in full motion – Organic movement needs to be on high alert](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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!](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/10/NEWSLETTER-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/08/LIVESEEDING-420x540.jpg)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/FoodPolicy-2-420x540.png)
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…
![Organic sector calls on agriculture ministers to prioritise agroecological innovation over techno-fixes](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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…
![What are new GMOs and what’s at risk? Watch our new video](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/07/GMO-video-420x540.jpg)
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…
![From a Soil Health law to a Soil Monitoring Directive](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_healthysoils-420x540.jpg)
12/07/2023
Soil
From a Soil Health law to a Soil Monitoring Directive
On 5 July, the European Commission published its proposal concerning a Soil Monitoring and Resilience law. IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes…
![NGT proposal a step backward for biosafety, freedom of choice and consumers' information](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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,…
![European organic movement resolution: No hidden GMOs, system-based approach to innovation](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-1-420x540.png)
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…
![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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/PoliticalHotspot-2-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/OT4EU-420x540.png)
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…
![EU environmental ministers give clear signal to Commission to maintain precautionary principle & risk assessment for NGTs](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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…
![We want to be able to choose! Ensure GMO-free food production.](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/02/Special-newsletter-420x540.png)
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…
![European Court of Justice decision on ‘in vitro’ mutagenesis strengthens 2018 ruling subjecting gene editing to EU GMO Directive](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Report-2-420x540.png)
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](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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…
![New year, old narratives – Why genetic engineering is (still) not the solution to food security](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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…
![GMOs – An easy breakdown on common myths](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
GMOs – An easy breakdown on common myths
Global grassroots organization Slow Food International has recently published a short myth-busting article with the most common, but wrong and…
![November newsletter: SUR, GMO-free event, and more!](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/12/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-6-420x540.png)
November newsletter: SUR, GMO-free event, and more!
Two weeks ago, we published our November newsletter and it’s rich in updates and information on the hottest organic topics!…
![Agreement on new deforestation law](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/09/GP0STPO9P_Web_size_with_credit_line-420x534.jpg)
Agreement on new deforestation law
EU consumption is responsible for around 10% of global deforestation. In the beginning of December, the Council and European Parliament…
![Welcome note November 2022](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/WelcomeNote-2-420x540.png)
Welcome note November 2022
Dear reader, I am happy to welcome you to this year’s last edition of our newsletter. I am proud to…
![GMO-free Europe Event held at the European Parliament to take a stand discuss the European Commission's new NGT legislative proposal](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/10/policy_GMOs_event_GMO-free-regions_202210-3-420x540.png)
GMO-free Europe Event held at the European Parliament to take a stand discuss the European Commission's new NGT legislative proposal
The European Commission announced a new legislative proposal for so-called ‘Novel Genomic Techniques’ in the second quarter of 2023. This…
![Organic movement responds to public consultation on Soil Health Law](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_healthysoils-420x540.jpg)
25/10/2022
Soil
Organic movement responds to public consultation on Soil Health Law
Soil health is a cornerstone of organic farming and common organic farming practices improve actively soil quality. Healthy soils are…
![The scientists behind the GMO deregulation lobby – A story of vested interests](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
14/10/2022
GMOs
The scientists behind the GMO deregulation lobby – A story of vested interests
Many scientists currently active in agricultural biotechnology who lobby for deregulating so-called ‘new genomic techniques’ (NGTs) in the European Union…
![Add your signature – Support these EU-wide petitions to stop attempts to deregulate new GMOs](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
14/10/2022
GMOs
Add your signature – Support these EU-wide petitions to stop attempts to deregulate new GMOs
The European Commission is working on a new legislative proposal for ‘New Genomic Techniques’ (NGTs). We expect this to be…
![Save the Date: GMO-Free Europe Event 2022 - 17 November](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
Save the Date: GMO-Free Europe Event 2022 - 17 November
We invite you to join us for a GMO-free Europe event at the European Parliament to discuss the European Commission’s…
![Worrying step to deregulating GMOs: EU Agriculture Commissioner says “no controversy about direction” among EU Agricultural Ministers](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-1-420x540.png)
27/09/2022
GMOs
Worrying step to deregulating GMOs: EU Agriculture Commissioner says “no controversy about direction” among EU Agricultural Ministers
The recent Informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Agriculture set a worrying tone for the political agenda regarding Genetically…
![Watch the EU Organic Awards ceremony, tomorrow 23/9, 10:00](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/09/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-15-420x540.jpg)
Watch the EU Organic Awards ceremony, tomorrow 23/9, 10:00
Tomorrow, Friday 23 September, there will be the second edition of the EU Organic Day, established by the European Commission…
![Public consultation on Soil Health Law is open](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_healthysoils-420x540.jpg)
21/09/2022
Soil
Public consultation on Soil Health Law is open
The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the Soil Health Law to which everyone can submit feedback until…
![June newsletter: measuring pesticides, new GMOs, and more!](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/06/comm_website_thumbnail_newsletter_june-420x540.jpg)
June newsletter: measuring pesticides, new GMOs, and more!
We just published our June newsletter and it’s rich in updates and information on the hottest organic topics! Not sure…
![Public consultation on new genomic techniques still ongoing + Member briefing](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
27/06/2022
GMOs
Public consultation on new genomic techniques still ongoing + Member briefing
The 12-weeks consultation period of the European Commission in the context of the Impact Assessment for new legislation for ‘New…
![Nature restoration law is published](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Water-soil-420x540.jpg)
Nature restoration law is published
On 22 June the European Commission published the proposal of a Nature Restoration Law together with the Sustainable Use of…
![Commission opens public consultation on new legislation for new genetic engineering techniques](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
03/05/2022
GMOs
Commission opens public consultation on new legislation for new genetic engineering techniques
The EU Commission launched a 12-weeks consultation period in the context of the Impact Assessment for new legislation for ‘New…
![No risk assessment and labelling for eggs and hens of genetically modified origin?](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
16/03/2022
GMOs
No risk assessment and labelling for eggs and hens of genetically modified origin?
Following an EU Commission statement, it can be concluded that eggs and laying hens that originate from genetically engineered hens…
![New GMOs: What’s next for Europe & state-of-play legislative process](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
02/02/2022
GMOs
New GMOs: What’s next for Europe & state-of-play legislative process
As covered in previous editions of our newsletter, the European Commission has been moving forward with plans to create a…
![Commission event: Can New Genetic Engineering Techniques (NGETs) be sustainable?](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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…
![Welcome note October 2021 newsletter](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/WelcomeNote-2-420x540.png)
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.…
![Participate in Commission Public Consultation to keep (new) GMOs regulated and to protect organic](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
12/10/2021
GMOs
Participate in Commission Public Consultation to keep (new) GMOs regulated and to protect organic
As covered in the last edition of the newsletter, the Commission is considering a new legal proposal for so-called “New…
![Public consultation for new legal proposal upcoming](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
28/09/2021
GMOs
Public consultation for new legal proposal upcoming
On 29 April 2021, the European Commission published a study on the status of New Genomic Techniques under Union law…