News
02/10/2024
GMOs
New GMOs – Key resources
This article is an overview of useful resources we have compiled for you. We will update this on a rolling…
September 2024 newsletter - embracing productive months ahead
We just published our post-summer newsletter edition. Wondering what’s in it for you? Here are a few highlights you might…
Building the future of EU agrifood – Encouraging high-level statements at congress’ first day
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Following the Strategic Dialogue for the future of EU agriculture’s recommendations, many agrifood stakeholders,…
European food industry loud and clear about rigorous labelling of new genomic techniques (NGTs)
376 food businesses from 16 Member States, signed Food Industry for Freedom of Choice, a letter calling for rigorous labelling…
09/09/2024
GMOs
Explainer video: Developing and applying detection methods for plants created with ‘new genomic techniques’ (new GMOs)
The technical research project DARWIN will develop, test, and validate no less than 9 new detection methods and new digital…
03/09/2024
GMOs
The European food industry speaks out loud and clear for rigorous labelling of NGTs
In the framework of a joint action of organic and conventional companies, 376 businesses from the food industry from 16 Member…
02/09/2024
Food policy
Does organic still have a ring-fenced budget in the EU promotion policy?
The short answer: yes, even though it has been reduced, for SIMPLE projects. No MULTI projects will be funded in…
Challenges and opportunities facing organic & how policies can be part of the solution
Ahead of the EU elections, our Director, Eduardo Cuoco was interviewed about the current challenges organic faces. In two pieces…
17/07/2024
GMOs
More than 200 food companies call for strict legislation on new GMOs - Sign and share our joint European letter
More than 200 organic and conventional companies from 12 European countries are already calling for strict legislation on new GMOs…
Working together to enable farmers as agile entrepreneurs – European Biostimulants’ summit
IFOAM Organics Europe’s Director Eduardo Cuoco spoke at a session Supporting farmers in times of turbulence at the European Biostimulants…
CDG meeting on organic farming: Agroforestry, plant protection & compliance
Organic stakeholders exchanged with the Commission on synergies between agroforestry and organic, plant protection products and the regulatory switch from…
Positive steps for EU’s resilience in Council decisions on nature restoration, soil monitoring law & green claims
On 17 June, European legislation on soil, nature, and environmental labelling took a few steps forward as the Council of…
Read our June newsletter! Here's what you can expect.
We just published our latest newsletter, the last one before the European elections and the summer break. Wondering what’s in…
Political Hotspot June 2024
Ongoing farmers’ protests highlight the need to address concerns about unfair pricing and competition in European agriculture. The objectives laid…
New genomic techniques, what comes up?
Despite significant political pressure to reach an agreement among the EU institutions before the European elections in June 2024, the…
NGOs call for climate action & fair agrifood systems – 31 May; 1 June & throughout October
On 31 May, the NGOs who are part of the Good Food Good Farming coalition gathered in Brussels for its…
Researching detection methods & digital solutions for products derived from new genomic techniques
From January 2024 to June 2027, IFOAM Organics Europe is part of a technical research project called DARWIN. It aims…
16/05/2024
Food policy
Civil Dialogue Groups (CDG) meetings: Report on wine, 14 May
IFOAM Organics Europe’s office staff, our members and experts regularly advise and discuss policy options with the Commission and other…
Organic movement meets Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
On 26 April, IFOAM Organics Europe met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a discussion on the…
DARWIN: Transition to safe & sustainable food systems through new & innovative detection methods & digital solutions for plant-based products derived from new genomic techniques, under a co-creation approach
1 January 2024 to 30 June 2027 This project title is quite a mouthful, so let’s break it down. The…
New members-only sessions: (mis)use of regenerative & positioning organic to various political audiences
We are thrilled to announce new sessions in our member-exclusive webinar series ‘Let’s Discuss Organic’. On 26 April we will…
05/04/2024
Food policy
How school canteens can support a healthy, just, and sustainable European food system
On 12 March, three inspiring speakers showed how school canteens can change and integrate sustainability criteria –in urban, rural and…
04/04/2024
Food policy
Only two more months to apply for EU funds to promote organic food & farming
Are you a trade or inter-trade organisation in an EU country? Are you working with or promoting organic products? You…
IFOAM Organics Europe regrets a CAP simplification without vision
BRUSSELS, 15 MARCH 2024 – IFOAM Organics Europe warns that the CAP simplification proposal presented today by the Commission is…
Parliament’s vote on Green Claims Directive: IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes efforts to curb greenwashing and the acknowledgement of specific environmental assessment needs for agri-food
BRUSSELS, 12 MARCH 2024 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes today’s plenary vote on the directive on green claims. This directive…
New faces and new projects in the Research & Innovation Unit
A new year means new research and innovation (R&I) projects! Several new Horizon Europe projects in which IFOAM Organics Europe…
Green claims: organic movement applauds renewed recognition of PEF's shortcomings for agrifood
BRUSSELS, 14 FEBRUARY 2024 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes today’s vote on green claims as it underscores the limitations of…
07/02/2024
GMOs
NGT vote a step backward for biosafety that nonetheless safeguards the possibility for traceability and national "coexistence" measures
BRUSSELS, 07 FEBRUARY 2024 – Today the European Parliament voted on the legislative proposal on so-called “New Genomic Techniques” (NGTs).…
February 2024 Newsletter - Multilingual Edition
Read this Special Newsletter in BG, CZ, DA , DE, ES, EN, FR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PL, PT, RO, UA Dear reader,Welcome to 2024! As we usher in the new year and an EU…
24/01/2024
GMOs
IFOAM Organics Europe calls on MEPs to postpone plenary vote on NGTs as ENVI Committee vote leaves many issues unsolved
BRUSSELS, 24 JANUARY 2024 – Today, the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI Committee) voted on the…
Green Claims: Organics Europe highlights Product Environmental Footprint method's shortcomings for agri-food
BRUSSELS, 23 JANUARY 2024 – As compromise amendment negotiations on the Green Claims Directive proposal are taking place within the…
12/01/2024
GMOs
Myth busting: NGTs and organic
With an eye on this year’s elections, the EU institutions have geared up work on many important dossiers and advancing…
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…
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…
Last chance to register for the event on research and innovation for organic! 30 November-1 December, online
These are the last weeks to register for the Organic Innovation Days 2021, the only EU event on research &…
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.…
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…
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…
The future of organic food: Ten take-aways of the Organic Food Conference 2021
Our Organic Food Conference 2021 was a success, and we are happy to share the ten key take-aways. The European…
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…
Last Commission consultation before presentation revised Sustainable Use of pesticides Directive
On 5 October, Mathilde Calmels, IFOAM Organics Europe’s Policy Coordinator on Pesticides, Natural Inputs and Fertilisers, will be one of…
16/09/2021
Food policy
Read the leading initiatives for more sustainable foods in FAO's handbook
Sustainable food systems are critical to ensure that future generations have access to food and consume healthy meals. Many food…
Upcoming vote on the Regulation on Statistics on Agricultural Inputs and Outputs (SAIO) in AGRI Committee
On 2 February 2021, the Commission published its proposal for a Regulation on Statistics on Agricultural Inputs and Outputs (SAIO),…
Vote on European Parliament’s Farm to Fork Strategy report: mostly positive on organic
The Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, published in May 2020 with a view of holistically transitioning towards more sustainable food…
08/09/2021
GMOs
The debate about new GMOs in Europe: Our Policy Coordinator in conversation with Slow Food Europe
In their podcast series on European food and farming policies, Slow Food Europe brings together experts to discuss hot matters…
How are cities engaging with food system transformation? FoodSHIFT webinar, 13 September, 15:00-16:00
City councils – either led by the city government itself or by citizens – are key to involve citizens and…
Have your say! IFOAM Organics Europe provided feedback to the Commission’s EU School Scheme roadmap
As announced in the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, the Commission will “review the EU school scheme to enhance its…
Demand better food & farming – Good Food Good Farming European Action Days - 1-31 October 2021
This year, Good Food Good Farming is again organising its European Action Days 1-31 October 2021. Raise your voice, add…