News
19/12/2024
Organic regulations
Compliant control bodies, factory farming & EGTOP reports
In November the Commission intensified its legislative work finalising key regulations ahead of the changes expected next year. From 1st…
Upcoming member-only webinars: Funding & promotion opportunities for organic
In 2025, we restart our regular member-exclusive sessions “Let’s Discuss Organic”. These online live events help our members gain an…
13/12/2024
GMOs
The legislative file on so-called “New Genomic Techniques” (new GMOs) – Where are we at?
The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU is in the last weeks of its chairpersonship – so, let’s…
29/11/2024
Organic regulations
Sponsor our sector project: Assessing the EU Organic Regulation’s fairness
We are assessing whether the current EU Organic Regulation is fair towards operators and if it adequately supports the sector…
New study confirms the leading role of organic farming in contributing to agriculture’s climate objectives
BRUSSELS, 25 NOVEMBER – According to a new analysis of the expected contribution of CAP Strategic Plans to greenhouse gas…
Science-policy seminar on new detection methods for new genomic techniques (new GMOs)
19 November, Brussels IFOAM Organics Europe organised and hosted an event titled “Science-policy seminar on detection methods for NGT products…
How can EU agriculture contribute to climate neutrality?
On 28 October IFOAM Organics Europe hosted ClieNFarms’ second public policy workshop How can the EU agricultural sector contribute to…
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…
17/09/2024
Organic regulations
Regulation updates: De-alcoholised wine, use organic logo, certificates, compliance & aquaculture
Following the summer break, there are a number of updates on the EU Organic Regulation. From new legal initiatives to…
Organic living labs develop and test food security & resilience scenarios
Helping to create and support “living labs” (LLs) is an important strategy within EU research and innovation to promote the…
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…
20/08/2024
Organic regulations
New project will benefit organic operators & contribute to fairer EU Organic Regulation
In June 2024, we kicked off an exciting two-year project that will produce important information for most organic operators! Our…
The EU has continent-wide Nature Restoration Law
Today, the Nature Restoration Law entered into force. The law’s objective is the long-term recovery of nature in the EU’s…
EU Organic Regulation updates: FAQ on organic rules & second list of compliant control bodies
The Commission has updated its Frequently asked questions on organic rules with new topics. It now also clarifies questions on:…
Welcome back, Ms von der Leyen. EU organic looks forward to continue transforming our rural areas & food systems
BRUSSELS, 18 JULY 2024 – The European organic movement congratulates Ursula von der Leyen on her re-election as President of…
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…
08/07/2024
Organic regulations
Pesticide residue management in organic products
Our food supply includes conventional agricultural systems using synthetic pesticides and other agrochemical products. As our agricultural systems are open…
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…
01/07/2024
Organic regulations
First list of control bodies recognised for compliance published
The first list of control bodies (CBs) recognised for compliance regarding imports from third countries was published in the EU’s…
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…
30/05/2024
Organic regulations
Civil dialogue group about plant protection products & imports
On 24 May, the European Commission held a Civil Dialogue Group (CDG) on organic farming. While the many stakeholder present…
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…
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…
Proposal integrated Plant Reproductive Material Regulation improves after Parliament’s inputs
The EU is revising legislation on plant reproductive material, such as seeds, cuttings, trees, roots, tubers, and clones. Currently, rules…
14/03/2024
Organic regulations
Insights in international trade for EU and third country operators
On Monday 11 March, the European Organic Certifiers Council (EOCC) and IFOAM Organics Europe united experts providing insights into two…
OrganicAdviceNetwork project, the first Europe-wide network for organic advisors, starting soon!
As the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy aims to achieve 25% of organic farmland in the EU by 2030, new organic farmers…
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…
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).…
02/02/2024
Organic regulations
Statement of support for Spanish organic producers in their denunciation of a French politician's statement seeking to pit organic farmers from different countries against one another
IFOAM Organics Europe fully supports Spanish organic producers in their denounciation of a French politician’s statement seeking to pit organic…
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…
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…
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…
07/12/2023
Organic regulations
Continuation organic equivalency confirmed by UK and the EU & new regulations interpretation published
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement that entered into force on 1 May 2021 contains provisions on the necessary reassessment…
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
Climate change
Parliament votes on Carbon Removal Certification Framework: Cautious welcome
The European Parliament’s Plenary has voted on their position on the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes…
Agreement on nature restoration law: Important signal to transform farming
Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council reached a final agreement on the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). As European organic…
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…