News
![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…
![Green claims: The fight against greenwashing must be based on methodologies promoting the transition towards more sustainable food systems](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-1-420x540.png)
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,…
![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…
![EU organic movement warns against greenwashing](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-420x540.png)
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…
![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…
![EU organic movement takes legal action to defend reliable environmental labelling of food products](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-1-420x540.png)
25/01/2023
Labelling
EU organic movement takes legal action to defend reliable environmental labelling of food products
[disponible en français ci-dessous / available in French below] BRUSSELS/PARIS, 25 JANUARY 2023 – Actors involved in the ecological transition…
![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!…
![Green claims: better methodologies to assess environmental performance of food & textiles products](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/11/pressrelease-1-420x540.png)
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](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…
![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…
![Sustainability labels, ”sustainable or not? That’s the question!”](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/10/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_sustainability_labelling-420x540.jpg)
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.…
![Sustainability labelling for food: one day to understand all about it](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/10/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_sustainability_labelling-420x540.jpg)
Sustainability labelling for food: one day to understand all about it
The European Commission is expected to reveal their proposal for a Regulation on Substantiating Green Claims based on the Product…
![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…
![New position paper on sustainability labelling & the Planet-score](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/10/comm_website_THUMBNAILS_sustainability_labelling-420x540.jpg)
29/09/2022
Labelling
New position paper on sustainability labelling & the Planet-score
IFOAM Organics Europe published its new position paper on “Sustainability labelling & the Planet-score”. Political context This position paper comes…
![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…
![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…
![Sustainability labelling & the PEF – Closed event in the European Parliament](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/02/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-3-420x540.png)
24/06/2022
Labelling
Sustainability labelling & the PEF – Closed event in the European Parliament
Green Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Benoît Biteau, Claude Gruffat and Michèle Rivasi held an invitation-only event in the…
![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…
![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…
![Sustainability labelling: Product Environmental Footprint not suitable for agri-food products](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2022/02/comm_website_THUMBNAILS-3-420x540.png)
Sustainability labelling: Product Environmental Footprint not suitable for agri-food products
Sustainability labelling has to be one of the major food-related political topics of 2022. As the think tank IDDRI outlines…
![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…
![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.…
![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…
![The future of organic food: Ten take-aways of the Organic Food Conference 2021](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2021/04/NEW-WEBSITE-THUMBNAILS1-420x540.jpg)
The future of organic food: Ten take-aways of the Organic Food Conference 2021
Our Organic Food Conference 2021 was a success, and we are happy to share the ten key take-aways. The European…
![Public consultation for new legal proposal upcoming](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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…
![The debate about new GMOs in Europe: Our Policy Coordinator in conversation with Slow Food Europe](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/GMOs-1-420x540.png)
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…
![LIVESEED – Organic seed breeding at the Organic World Congress](https://www.organicseurope.bio/content/uploads/2020/06/Liveseed-2-420x540.png)
LIVESEED – Organic seed breeding at the Organic World Congress
The LIVESEED project, which IFOAM Organics Europe co-cordinates, is contributing to the Organic World Congress (OWC) with a colourful program.…