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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…

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…

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…
23/12/2022
Food policy

Large share of EU funds available to promote sustainable agriculture in 2023 

On 16 December 2022, the European Commission has adopted the 2023 Annual Work Programme on the promotion of agricultural products.…

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!

Two weeks ago, we published our November newsletter and it’s rich in updates and information on the hottest organic topics!…

Green claims: better methodologies to assess environmental performance of food & textiles products

BRUSSELS, 29 NOVEMBER 2022 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes news about the Commission’s decision to postpone the publication of the…

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…
18/11/2022
Events GMOs

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…

Sustainability labels, ”sustainable or not? That’s the question!” 

In the current food environment, labels are crucial to provide consumers with information to help them make the sustainable choice.…
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…
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…
13/10/2022
Events GMOs

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…
29/09/2022
Food policy

Political Hotspot - September 2022

September is the month of the first informal meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture in Prague, Czech Republic. The Czech…
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…

Updates on pesticides and recycled nutrients: Regulation (SUR), statistics and data

IFOAM Organics Europe welcomed the Commission’s proposal on the revision of the Sustainable Use of pesticides Regulation (SUR). It could…

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…
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…
23/06/2022
Food policy

Delving into public consultations: The sustainable food system framework initiative and the EU school scheme

July will be a hot month! In part because of deadlines to public consultations geared at transforming the European food…
 
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