News
![Nature restoration, crucial for resilient food & farming systems](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-420x540.png)
22/05/2023
Biodiversity
Nature restoration, crucial for resilient food & farming systems
BRUSSELS, 22 MAY 2023 – Biodiversity protection and well-functioning ecosystems are essential for food production. But the Commission’s proposal on…
![ECO-READY: Developing a European Observatory for short and long-term food and agriculture resilience strategies](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/04/EcoReady-420x540.png)
ECO-READY: Developing a European Observatory for short and long-term food and agriculture resilience strategies
The ECO-READY project aspires to identify climate-change drivers affecting food security and biodiversity across Europe. The comprehensive understanding of the EU…
![The multiple benefits of organic for climate and biodiversity – visualised in our new infographic](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2023/04/Climate-change-420x540.png)
The multiple benefits of organic for climate and biodiversity – visualised in our new infographic
The systemic approach of organic farming contributes to climate mitigation, supports the adaptation of farmers to the consequences of climate…
![Political Hotspot March 2023](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/PoliticalHotspot-2-420x540.png)
Political Hotspot March 2023
After a postponement in November 2022, on 22 March 2023 the European Commision’s proposal for a Directive on substantiation and…
![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…
![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…
![What the Global Biodiversity Framework means for agriculture](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Biodiversity2-420x540.jpg)
22/12/2022
Biodiversity
What the Global Biodiversity Framework means for agriculture
Two years later than initially planned, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, world leaders adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).…
![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…
![Member States call for ‘new impact assessment’ on the Pesticides Regulation (SUR), delaying strict EU pesticide regulation](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_SUR-420x540.jpg)
Member States call for ‘new impact assessment’ on the Pesticides Regulation (SUR), delaying strict EU pesticide regulation
On 19 December, Member States1 voted in favour of requesting complementary data to the existing impact assessment the Commission carried…
![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…
![1 million EU citizens knock on EU’s door: No synthetic pesticides to save bees & farmers](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/09/Save-the-Bees-420x512.png)
1 million EU citizens knock on EU’s door: No synthetic pesticides to save bees & farmers
Over 1 million EU citizens are asking to restore nature, provide healthy food, healthy soil and clean water. On Friday 25…
![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…
![Representing organic at Bucharest Leaders’ Summit – The role of organic in the EU Green Deal](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/EC_BucharestLeadersSummit-420x540.png)
Representing organic at Bucharest Leaders’ Summit – The role of organic in the EU Green Deal
On 10 November 2022, our Director Eduardo Cuoco joined the Bucharest Leaders’ Summit via livestream. During a session on sustainable…
![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…
![European Parliament adopts position on deforestation-free products](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Biodiversity-420x540.jpg)
14/09/2022
Biodiversity
European Parliament adopts position on deforestation-free products
The European Parliament has voted on its position on the Commission proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products. On 13…
![Early feedback 2023 promotion policies reveal potential decrease in funding for organic products](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/FoodPolicy-2-420x540.png)
Early feedback 2023 promotion policies reveal potential decrease in funding for organic products
The Commission’s decision to ringfence budget for organic products within the promotion policies was welcomed by the organic sector as…
![New position paper on nutrition labelling](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/08/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-18-420x540.jpg)
New position paper on nutrition labelling
IFOAM Organics Europe published its new position paper on “Nutrition labelling & Nutri-Score”. This publication comes at a time of…
![European Parliamentarians, NGOs and organic sector discuss seed marketing rules](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/OrganicSeeds-420x540.png)
29/07/2022
Seeds
European Parliamentarians, NGOs and organic sector discuss seed marketing rules
Before the European Parliament’s summer break, the political process reviewing seed marketing rules kickstarted with an event on 22 June.…
![Situation in the Ukrainian organic sector as of July 2022](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/03/ukraine-gcebbf134b_640-420x427.png)
28/07/2022
EU Green Deal
Situation in the Ukrainian organic sector as of July 2022
This is a press release of Organic Initiative on the situation in the Ukrainian organic sector after 5 months of…
![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…
![Welcome note May 2022 Newsletter](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/WelcomeNote-2-420x540.png)
Welcome note May 2022 Newsletter
Dear readers, I would like to thank you for the enthusiasm and the support you have given IFOAM Organics Europe…
![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…
![Sustainable nutrient management: our contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/12/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-3-420x540.jpg)
Sustainable nutrient management: our contribution to the European Commission’s public consultation
In Europe, surplus nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the environment are already exceeding safe planetary boundaries – for N…
![Political hotspot March 2022 newsletter](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/PoliticalHotspot-2-420x540.png)
Political hotspot March 2022 newsletter
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues to rage, the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies, key parts of the…
![New rules vegetative plant reproductive material for organic production](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/OrganicSeeds-420x540.png)
24/03/2022
Seeds
New rules vegetative plant reproductive material for organic production
While the new EU Organic Regulation officially entered into force on 1 January of this year, not all details were…
![Soil Health Law: Organic movement’s contribution to public consultation](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Water-soil-420x540.jpg)
Soil Health Law: Organic movement’s contribution to public consultation
60-70% of soils in the EU are not healthy and the EU still lacks a comprehensive soil protection policy. In…
![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…
![Trialogues on Regulation on Statistics on Agricultural Inputs and Outputs to start](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/OrganicInputs-2-420x540.png)
Trialogues on Regulation on Statistics on Agricultural Inputs and Outputs to start
On 10 December, the Council of the EU approved its mandate for negotiations on the Regulation on Statistics on Agricultural…
![Revised Directive for a Sustainable Use of pesticides expected on 23 March](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/12/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-3-420x540.jpg)
Revised Directive for a Sustainable Use of pesticides expected on 23 March
The indicative calendar of the European Commission for the first half of 2022 mentions the launch of a “Nature restauration…
![Political hotspot December 2021 newsletter](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/PoliticalHotspot-2-420x540.png)
Political hotspot December 2021 newsletter
On 23 November, the European Parliament approved the new CAP (2023-2027) Regulations. Now, Member States’ CAP Strategic Plans will be…
![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…
![Read our new leaflet on plant health care in organic farming](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/12/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-3-420x540.jpg)
Read our new leaflet on plant health care in organic farming
Have you ever heard of all the preventive plant protection measures implemented by organic farmers to produce food without using…
![EU releases soil strategy & plans legal initiative in 2023](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/05/EU_Commission_Soil_Strategy-420x510.jpg)
EU releases soil strategy & plans legal initiative in 2023
On 17 November, the European Commission published the EU Soil Strategy for 2030 together with a proposal for a regulation…
![Mainstreaming organic plant breeding – celebrating 20 years of organic plant breeders](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/OrganicSeeds-420x540.png)
Mainstreaming organic plant breeding – celebrating 20 years of organic plant breeders
‘How to make organic plant breeding mainstream’ – was the guiding question of the 20th anniversary event of the organic…
![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.…
![Review of events](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Review-420x540.png)
Review of events
On 22 September, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) organised a workshop to discuss the potential role of public policies in…
![Our Director speaks on biodistricts at ‘Added Value of the Organic Farmer, Bioregions’ conference 12-14 October 2021, online & in the Netherlands](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/10/Favico-toekomstig-boeren-01-400x400-1.png)
Our Director speaks on biodistricts at ‘Added Value of the Organic Farmer, Bioregions’ conference 12-14 October 2021, online & in the Netherlands
On 12-14 October, the Conference ‘Added Value of the Organic Farmer, Bioregions’ discussed the broader benefits of organic farming and…
![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…
![Over 1 million signatures demanding a restoration of biodiversity & support for farmers](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/03/NEW-WEBSITE-THUMBNAILS-2-420x540.jpg)
Over 1 million signatures demanding a restoration of biodiversity & support for farmers
Across Europe, more than 1 million citizens are calling for a reduction of 80% in the use of synthetic pesticides…