News
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…
17/05/2022
Climate change
Parliament’s environment committee votes on climate regulation
This week, the European Parliament’s Environment (ENVI) Committee has voted on several pieces of legislation for the Fit for 55…
16/05/2022
Textiles
EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles: Shortcomings and promises
On 30 March, the European Commission published its strategy for sustainable and circular textiles. This strategy is part of the…
16/05/2022
Food policy
Public consultation on the Sustainable Food System law: stakeholders invited to provide feedback!
On 28 April, the European Commission opened its public consultation for the sustainable food system framework initiative. All stakeholders, including…
IFOAM Organics Europe’s roundtable on organic canteens gathers torchbearers for fruitful exchanges
On 28 March, IFOAM Organics Europe organised a roundtable on organic canteens, bringing together relevant actors in the field to…
10/05/2022
Food policy
Opening of a public consultation on EU school fruit, vegetables, and milk scheme
On 5 May, the European Commission opened its public consultation for the revision of the EU school scheme, that supports…
06/05/2022
Food policy
European Commission’s promotion policies: 157 projects submitted in 2022
The European Commission has recently published the results of its call for tenders under the 2022 edition of the promotion…
05/05/2022
Climate change
New IFOAM Organics Europe position paper on carbon farming is published
In our new position paper, we highlight the need for a holistic and multi-dimensional approach to carbon farming – focussing…
04/05/2022
Food policy
European Parliament report on the organic action plan published
On 3 May, the European Parliament’s Plenary voted on its own initiative report on the Commission’s organic action plan (OAP).…
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
In Europe, surplus nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the environment are already exceeding safe planetary boundaries – for N…
27/04/2022
Climate change
European organic movement calls for a systemic approach to carbon farming recognising the multiple benefits of organic farming for climate and the environment
BRUSSELS, 27 APRIL 2022 – As carbon farming is a current priority on the EU agenda when it comes to…
EU Parliament AGRI Committee supports organic farming in vote on Organic Action Plan report
BRUSSELS, 31 MARCH 2022 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes ComAGRI’s vote on the Parliament’s Organic Action Plan (OAP) report. AGRI…
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…
EU Parliament saves Farm to Fork’s integrity but concedes on Biodiversity
BRUSSELS, 24 MARCH 2022 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes the European Parliament’s support to the Farm to Fork Strategy as…
22/03/2022
Climate change
Public consultation on the certification of carbon removals open until 02 May
The European Commission has opened a public consultation and call for evidence for the planned proposal on the certification of…
ClieNFarms project has started
Making farms climate-neutral is the aim of the ClieNFarms projects that started last January. The project will set up 20…
Open letter to MEPs regarding EP resolution on food security
In view of the current discussions in the Parliament on the impact of the war in Ukraine on food security,…
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…
14/03/2022
Food policy
Buy Better Food campaign wants to put sustainable food on all public plates
The time has come to make public food procurement a mainstream issue at European level. To this end, we participate…
The 7 key policy recommendations on sustainable food public procurement
The Food Policy Coalition’s policy recommendations on food procurement support procurement as a tool that contributes to the systemic transformation…
Statement of solidarity with Ukraine
The European organic movement expresses its solidarity with all people in Ukraine, with all those, including in Russia, who have…
Latest IPCC report: Agroecological practices support food security
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published its latest report Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. The…
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…
31/01/2022
Climate change
Update on the revision of the LULUCF Regulation
As part of the Fit for 55 package, several legislative initiatives aim to support the European target of reducing at…
Policy brief outlining key points for a “Carbon Farming Scheme”
In December 2021, the European Commission presented its Communication on ‘Sustainable Carbon Cycles’, which addresses how to increase carbon sequestration…
24/01/2022
Food policy
Have your say! European Commission public consultations on nutrition labelling & nutrient profiles
Until 7 March, the European Commission is consulting stakeholders on two public consultations: Revision of rules on information provided to…
Welcome note December 2021 newsletter
Dear readers, 2021 has been another turbulent year, again with great successes and challenges. Just like last year, I would…
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…
15/12/2021
Climate change
Sustainable Carbon Cycles: New EU Communication
On 15 December, the European Commission presented its Communication on ‘Sustainable Carbon Cycles’. On the one hand, the Communication addresses…
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…
14/12/2021
Food policy
Organic in sustainable food public procurement: numerous benefits for a low-hanging fruit
Recent European initiatives related to food policies, among which the Farm to Fork Strategy, Organic Action Plan, and new legislative…
IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business: Bridging business and EU policies, 7 December, online
On 7 December 2021, players from the whole (organic) supply chain – including processors, traders, retailers, and certifiers – joined the…
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…
15/11/2021
Climate change
COP26: Outcomes relevant to food, land & agriculture
The UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) took place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow. Even though…
27/10/2021
Climate change
COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland
From 31 October to 12 November, the UN’s climate change conference (UNFCCC COP26) will take place in Glasgow, Scotland in…
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.…
Political hotspot October 2021 newsletter
26 October marked the final day for final contributions to the Commission’s inception impact assessment (roadmap) on the Sustainable Food…
Need inspiration communicating organic’s benefits? Members can check our updated arguments
In spring this year, we asked our membership to help us improve our database of organic’s benefits. Based on your…
The Farm to Fork Strategy: An ambition to safeguard
It is a busy time for stakeholders active on the Farm to Fork (F2F) Strategy. On 19 October, the European…
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
Across Europe, more than 1 million citizens are calling for a reduction of 80% in the use of synthetic pesticides…
08/10/2021
Climate change
EU organic movement’s reply to public consultation on carbon farming initiative
The European Commission invited stakeholders to provide input to a roadmap for the Commission’s initiative aimed at developing sustainable carbon…
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…
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…
16/09/2021
Food policy
Read the leading initiatives for more sustainable foods in FAO's handbook
Sustainable food systems are critical to ensure that future generations have access to food and consume healthy meals. Many food…
Vote on European Parliament’s Farm to Fork Strategy report: mostly positive on organic
The Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, published in May 2020 with a view of holistically transitioning towards more sustainable food…
Public consultation on carbon farming initiative roadmap & re-launch climate change task force
The European Commission has opened its public consultation on the roadmap for the initiative “Restoring sustainable carbon cycles” and feedback…
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…
How are cities engaging with food system transformation? FoodSHIFT webinar, 13 September, 15:00-16:00
City councils – either led by the city government itself or by citizens – are key to involve citizens and…