News
European organic operators, apply for the EU Organic Awards before 14 May!
Organic farming is a key part of the solution to our planet’s most pressing environmental challenges: from reducing use of…
EU Organic Awards 2023: Apply before 14 May!
We are excited to announce that the EU Organic Awards are back for the second time after a successful debut…
23/03/2023
Plant health care
The Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR), moving forward but slowly
The legislative process of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR) proposed by the European Commission back in June 2022…
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…
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…
Scientific study shows synthetic pesticides significantly more dangerous than natural ones
More organic farming means less pesticide use and risk BRUSSELS, VIENNA, 23 FEBRUARY 2023 – The European Green Deal’s targets of…
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…
Online press conference: Conventional and organic pesticides compared, 23 February
“Organic farming is not what it claims to be. Organic farmers also spray poisons – and not too sparingly.” “Organic…
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
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…
Innovative solutions in organic fruit production – BIOFRUITNET project's final conference - 2 March 2023, 9:15-13.30 (CET), online
Organic farming relies on knowledge and information flow and has a biodiversity-based approach to plant health. Sharing the available best…
Organic movement's recommendations on EU pesticides regulation (SUR)
IFOAM Organics Europe’s position paper gathering our recommendations on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR) is out. As our…
Save the bees and farmers hearing at the European Parliament
The official hearing of the European Citizens (ECI) Initiative Save the Bees and Farmers, which we are part of, take…
IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business online – a successful event! 8-9 December 2020, online
On 8-9 December 2020, 80 participants, from all walks of the organic supply chain and beyond, joined the 3rd edition…
Welcome note November 2020 newsletter
Dear readers, I would like to use this opportunity to look back on a turbulent year, marked with great successes…
Registration to IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business 2020 closes next week. Secure your spot!
IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business 2020 is around the corner! In a little more than two weeks we will meet…
18/11/2020
Organic regulations
Rewatch the webinar on the regulatory changes of the new EU Organic Regulation relevant to the Global South
Did you miss the web meeting organized by the International Trade Centre on the new Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848? Would…
New organic regulations published
Application of the new EU Organic Regulation Originally, the new EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 was set to apply from 1…
13/11/2020
Plant health care
RELACS project on track despite Covid-19: First digital annual meeting - 10-12 November, online
The RELACS project’s third annual meeting took place digitally 10-12 November. It demonstrated that research in all work packages is…
IFOAM Organics Europe meets business – Agenda available! 8-9 December, online
Save the date for the next “IFOAM Organics Europe meets business” taking place online on 8-9 December 2020. “Bringing the…
27/10/2020
Organic regulations
EGTOP reports on cleaning & disinfection and potassium available on Commission website
The Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) published two new reports. The first one is a draft…
19/10/2020
Organic regulations
Organic movement welcomes one-year postponement of the new Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 implementation
The new EU Organic Regulation (EU) 20 18/848 was set to apply from 1 January 2021. As the development of…
14/10/2020
Organic regulations
Webinar on the new EU Organic Regulation: What is going to change?
International Trade Centre organized a web meeting on the main changes that the implementation of the new Organic Regulation (EU)…
Welcome note September 2020 newsletter
Dear readers, On behalf of the European organic movement, I would like to welcome you back after the summer break.…
25/09/2020
Organic regulations
Postponement of the organic regulation & Organic Action Plan consultation
On 4 September 2020, important steps on two important Commission’s files were taken. Firstly, the EU Commission submitted a proposal…
Replacement of copper in organic farming – First results of RELACS experiments conducted by ÖMKi
Copper is currently used as a plant protection product (PPP) and/or leaf fertilizer in organic and conventional farming in several…
17/09/2020
GMOs
Reveal of a detection method for a gene-edited rapeseed - What is the significance and why is there a controversy?
A regulation is only worth so much as it can be enforced. This is why on 7 September, an open…
07/09/2020
GMOs
First open source detection test for a gene-edited GM crop
This press release was first published by Greenpeace EU Brussels, 07 SEPTEMBER 2020 – Greenpeace, together with other non-governmental organisations,…
IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes public consultation on new EU Organic Action Plan and additional time to finalize new organic rules
BRUSSELS, 4 SEPTEMBER 2020 – The organic food and farming movement welcomes the announcement today by the Commission that the…
Farm gate nutrient budgets in organic agriculture
The RELACS project partners issued practical guidelines informing farmers about assessing the main nutrient flows in and out of their…
04/08/2020
Plant health care
Request for proposal: Conducting research on pesticide contamination in the environment and pesticide residues in organic food
IFOAM Organics Europe (IFOAM OE) is the European umbrella organisation for organic food and farming. We fight for the adoption…
More than 1,000 discussed the new Organic Regulation, Common Agriculture Policy, and future of our food system at first digital European Organic Congress
On 1-3 July, the first online edition of our European Organic Congress took place with more than 1,000 participants. This…
Help us identifying the needs and knowledge gaps in organic fruit growing – Fill out BIOFRUITNET’s questionnaire
Plant protection against pests and diseases is a big issue for organic fruit growers, as fruit is a very sensitive…
17/06/2020
Organic regulations
Commission publishes Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/786 on arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries
On 16 June 2020, the Commission published the implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/786 amending and correcting the regulation laying down detailed…
European Patent Office: No patents on conventionally bred varieties
On 14 May 2020, the enlarged board of appeal of the European Patent Office (EPO) has released an opinion that…
23/04/2020
Organic regulations
Official publication of new secondary regulations complementing the new Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848
Following the publication of the new Organic Regulation (EU) 2019/848 in June 2018, two secondary legal acts have been published…
How much and which natural inputs does the organic sector need? – A lively debate during BIOFACH 2020
A lively discussion on natural inputs suitable for organic farming as well as future obstacles and opportunities for the sector’s…
30/01/2020
Plant health care
The organic movement and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) call for better regulation of natural origin plant protection technologies
IFOAM EU and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) published a five years roadmap for collaboration to promote the uptake of…