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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,…

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…
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…

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
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…
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…
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…
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…

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…

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…
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…
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…

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…

Getting food on the climate agenda - FoodSHIFT2030 webinar - 15 June 2021, online

Climate change policy debates fail to consider the interconnected nature of food systems and involve a wide range of actors.…
 
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