Making Europe more organic

A short overview of IFOAM EU’s past, present and future work Join us!

Main supporters This publication is co-financed Thank you to all those who by the European Union, contributed to this publication under the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Published by IFOAM EU (EASME). The sole responsibility for this Design by fuel. - Brussels Green communication lies with IFOAM EU. Organics The EASME is not responsible for any use that www.fueldesign.be may be made of the information provided. Making Europe More Organic – IFOAM EU 3

IFOAM EU is the European umbrella organisation for and farming. With more than 210 member We fight for the adoption of organisations our work spans ecologically, socially and the entire organic food chain and beyond: from farmers economically sound FOOD and processors, retailers, certi- systems based on the principles fiers, consultants, traders and of Organic – health, researchers to environmental ecology, fairness and care. and consumer advocacy bodies.

TRANSFORMING FOOD AND FARMING – MAKING IT HAPPEN The organic movement is setting the are making our Vision 2030 happen stage for fair, environmentally conscious, using our Roadmap to Sustainable Food healthy and caring food and farming and Farming Systems in Europe. systems across the globe. In the EU, we

VISION 2030

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IFOAM EU operations and organisation

2018 income

Membership fees: 13%

EU grants & co-finance: 27% Project foundations & sector: 12%

Sponsors & donations: 9%

Operational grant: 31% Services & others: 8%

2018 expenditure

Services & others: 17%

EU projects (without staff costs): 13%

Salaries & related: 64% Travel costs: 4%

Rent & equipment: 2% IFOAM EU 5

Governance and operating structures • The General Assembly is formed by all active IFOAM EU members who hold the ultimate power to change the IFOAM EU statutes • The National Assemblies are organised by IFOAM EU Members in each EU or EFTA country to elect representatives for the IFOAM EU Council • The Board is comprised of 9 people including a president, a treasurer and two vice- presidents, all of whom are selected according to sector-related and regional criteria • The Council transmits national interests and specificities to the European level (one member and up to two deputies per country) • Interest groups are established to provide direct involvement from sectors in the organisation in formulating policies and positions of relevance for their sector • Expert groups & task forces bring together the huge expertise of IFOAM EU membership • The office grew from one employee in 2002 to 23.6 in 2018 to manage operations and activities in Brussels

Interest groups • Interest Group of Organic Farmers (IGOF) • Interest Group of Organic Processors & Traders (IGOP) • Interest Group of Organic Retailers (IGOR) • Interest Group on & Integrity (IGOC)

Working groups • Expert groups • Task forces - Central Eastern Europe (CEE) Expert - Cosmetics Group (Capacity Building) - Implementation of the new organic - EU coordination of the IFOAM regulation Aquaculture Forum - Textile - European Organic Comms Hub - Expert Group on Plant Protection • Hosts the secretariat of the TP Products (PPPs) and Fertilisers Organics research platform - Expert Group on Seed - Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs 6 Making Europe More Organic TRANSFORMING FOOD & FARMING  IFOAM EU’s advocacy work MAKING IT HAPPEN

Animal COMMON AN ORGANIC ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE welfareSUPPORTERS: ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL & health COSMETICS POLICY FOOD AND FARMING SYSTEMS IN EUROPE & TEXTILE • Eco-schemes • Rural development • Organic conversion Research & and maintenance innovation • Horizon 2020 GMOs • Horizon Europe • Coexistence • European Innovation • Seed contamination VISION 2030 Partnership • GMOs approvals • Host TP Organics • New genetic Organic engineering regulation techniques • New organic regulation (2021) NEED INSPIRATION? HAVE AN INITIATIVE?• Current organic regulation ORGANIC IMPROVE • Certification and FAIR PLAY Food poVISITlicy EUORGANIC2030.BIO integrity INSPIRE ON EVERY FAIR PAY • Green Public Procurement SEED LEGISLATION DELIVER • Fairness in the supply chain TABLE • True cost accounting • Development and use of • Coherence of food policies organic seeds • Adaptation of new varieties to Climate IFOAM EU, 2017 • Organic heterogeneous change material [email protected] • No patents on plants and • The cross- cutting issue www.ifoam-eu.org native seeds EU labe+32ls (0)2 280 68 44 • Quality schemes and promotionEditors: Eduardo Cuoco & Yulia Barabanova programmes Environmental • Eco-labelProduction Support: Eva Berckmans, Triin Viilvere & Magdalena WawrzonkowskaHealth & policies Proofreading: AlastairF oodPenny /S www.pennyweb.euafety • EU Environment Action Plan The middle pages of this Layout: Ecoprint Ltd • / Pwww.ecoprint.eeesticide and fertiliser • EU Soil Policy legislation • Water Framework Directive publication are a poster. Take it out • Food / feed controls • EU Strategy This publication is co- nanced by the European Union, under• P theroduct Executive Environmental Agency for Small and help us to transform food and and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). The sole responsibilityFootprint for this communication lies with IFOAM EU. The EASME is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. farming systems in Europe! TRANSFORMING FOOD & FARMING  MAKING IT HAPPEN

SUPPORTERS: AN ORGANIC ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND FARMING SYSTEMS IN EUROPE

VISION 2030

NEED INSPIRATION? HAVE AN INITIATIVE? ORGANIC IMPROVE VISIT EUORGANIC2030.BIO INSPIRE FAIR PLAY ON EVERY FAIR PAY TABLE DELIVER

IFOAM EU, 2017 [email protected] www.ifoam-eu.org +32 (0)2 280 68 44

Editors: Eduardo Cuoco & Yulia Barabanova Production Support: Eva Berckmans, Triin Viilvere & Magdalena Wawrzonkowska Proofreading: Alastair Penny / www.pennyweb.eu The middle pages of this Layout: Ecoprint Ltd / www.ecoprint.ee publication are a poster. Take it out This publication is co- nanced by the European Union, under the Executive Agency for Small and help us to transform food and and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). The sole responsibility for this communication lies with IFOAM EU. The EASME is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. farming systems in Europe! MAKING OUR VISION FOR ORGANIC BY 2030 HAPPEN ORGANIC ON EVERY TABLE IMPROVE – INSPIRE – DELIVER FAIR PLAY – FAIR PAY 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 2 N 2 0 3 0 N N I O O S I The environmental, O I S I V A paradigm shift I S social and public Policy makers & V Farmers and I citizens widely in knowledge, Organic health costs and V Organic and Organic food & workers are paid recognise the Citizens education and contributes to New business benefits of farming agroecological farming systems are fairly: value and contributions of continue to learning reconnects delivering healthy are reflected in practices are resilient, continuously power are equally models and organic and choose organic society with food & & sustainable communications payments to farmers employed on more improve their distributed across promote it food and have farming diets foster trust and in the cost than half of EU performance & the system easy access of food farmlands inspire change between all to it actors

FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS

Engage and create links with actors Reform the CAP to ensure that Improve how we grow and process Increase research funding and support Inform citizens about the true cost of Develop a unified framework of indicators beyond the organic sector environmental and socio-economic food development of formal education and food, its origin and how it is produced for true cost accounting and value pricing, outcomes delivered by farmers are fully advisory systems with an organic focus which helps reward practices that deliver Build sustainable value chains to incentivised and rewarded Promote sustainable diets and the Develop or adopt new tools to create public benefits ensure economic viability and avoid consumption of healthy food Develop and implement organic transparency from farm to fork and dependence on subsidies Use green procurement to stimulate action plans enhance dialogue between all value Develop comprehensive production and sustainable diets in public canteens and Engage in knowledge generation and chain actors market information systems, and encourage Improve communication about the private sector mass catering sharing Ensure coherence between policies exchanges of price and production data benefits of organic production for related to food, farming, health, Develop and adopt a code of conduct society and the environment Prioritise access to land for new organic education and the environment for fair pricing and fair relationships Promote cooperation between value chain and transitioning farmers for value chain actors actors and support (local) approaches to rural empowerment

To transform food and farming successfully, value chain need to invest to increase the pro- Organic farming and production work farming actors need to get actively involved in It is a good time to be organic. Never before transparency about the origin, true value and high quality food must become more widely duction capacity, to support conversions and with nature to achieve the best possible research and innovation projects, and to share has the market been as big, nor has it grown production methods of food we buy. available. This can be achieved by increasing raise the profitability of organic, and to reduce results for people, animals and the planet. their knowledge across the value chain and all as rapidly. But while the sector begins to Policymakers also play an important part production, while also raising the level of the dependence on subsidies. A systems perspective and a spirit of conti- around Europe. expand beyond the niche market, the supply in maintaining balance in the value chains. recognition among consumers and policy- Policymakers also play a key role. A lot can nuous improvement are inherent parts of the To close the knowledge gap that exists chain actors must retain their organic spirit Accommodating the costs and benefits of makers of the economic, environmental and and should play a role in finding solutions be achieved with appropriate incentives and organic model, making it a key driver of trans- between organic and conventional food pro- food production is complicated. It can be social benefits provided by organic produc- for fairer and more transparent food systems. coherent policies to support the ecological formation. To inspire further change in our food duction, policymakers need to provide more done in various ways, such as taxes on pes- tion. They should do so in cooperation with entre- and social services that farmers provide. One and farming systems, organic producers need funding for organic research and innovation. ticides and fertilisers, or rewards for benefi- to continue reducing the use of resources at all preneurs and economic actors outside the To make this happen, the organic sector needs example would be to change the focus of Such research should be based on partici- cial environmental practices. Europe needs to levels, while increasing productivity, sphere of food and farming. For food systems to reach out to food and farming actors work- the CAP to ensure fundamental support for patory, system-oriented approaches. There develop and adopt a basic set of key indicators and reusing inputs, improving animal health to be transparent and fair, all actors need to ing both within and beyond organic. Engag- farmers whose approaches inherently work is also a need to develop formal education showing the impacts on soil quality, water use, ing with conventional farmers, community towards the socioeconomic and environ- and welfare, and avoiding waste. As pro- work together to ensure that value and power waste production, energy and suchlike. A con- and advisory systems with an organic focus, leaders, citizens’ initiatives, companies and mental of their farms and their cessed food plays an ever bigger role in our are fairly distributed among all the operators ducive environment for sustainable food and to ensure the spread of practical knowledge NGOs dealing with sustainability, as well as regions. Moreover, through the choices made lifestyles, organic actors also need to improve in the system, and that the costs and bene- farming also depends on the availability of and skills. with schools, chefs and health advocates, will in the canteens of schools and hospitals, and the quality of such foods, using healthier re- fits of food production are accounted for. In information on production and market trends, ensure the recognition and support needed in in the catering for offices and restaurants, cipes and adopting minimal processing tech- Policymakers need to develop and imple- the organic sector, a continuous dialogue as this helps inform future investments. Policy- order to put organic food on every table. Cre- public bodies and the private sector alike niques. By promoting greater consumption of ment organic action plans that enable organic between producers, traders, certifiers and makers must create incentives to encourage ating links with these actors requires improve- also play a vital role in shaping how we eat. plant proteins and fewer, better quality ani- actors to improve and innovate, and inspire distributors would benefit the whole chain. operators to exchange price and produc- ments in the way we communicate, and the Finally, access to land is critical for the deve- mal products, the organic sector will contri- others to follow suit. Finally, the thorough There is a need for business models and sup- tion data. At the same time, promoting local use of diverse channels to tell the story of the lopment of sustainable farming. We need bute to healthier diets with a smaller car- transformation of our food and farming sys- ply chains that generate more added value approaches, such as community-supported benefits of organic food for society and eco- policies that address the phenomenon of bon footprint. There is a direct link between tems can only happen if there is complete for the primary producers, and which connect agriculture, bio-districts and city food net- systems. land grabbing, limit land concentration, foster improved performance in organic systems coherence between all policies related to citizens with producers – both physically and works, will encourage rural revival and build virtually. The organic sector should also capi- The success of organic food and farming also generational renewal and support new and increased know-how for organic food food and farming, health, education and the trust in the food systems. talise on technological developments, such depends on their economic viability. This farmers. production. Therefore, organic food and environment. as the Internet of things or block-chain tech- means that farmers, companies and the whole nology, which promise to greatly enhance To support start-ups Liivimaa and farms in the organic Food for Life works with sector, Demeter Academy and public and private sector leaders Lihaveis created a EXAMP A support EXAMP to make good food the easy choice EXAMP government-certified quality Y LE partners offer young farmers and Y LE An evidence-based Y LE B programme for entrepreneurs knowledge, a biody- B for everyone, whoever and wherever B An organic scheme that unites organic beef G G programme that they are. The programme takes a whole G grass-fed beef N young people to N N I namic network, free space, feedback I impacts on health and I farmers in Estonia. The scheme

D take over a farm and support for legal, economic and D system approach to food, changing both D quality scheme that

A A

well-being, education, A ensures welfare of the animals,

E E

the food environment and food culture E aims to give more

L L or found organic social aspects of running organic sustainability and L sustains the biodiversity of the businesses in businesses. The program consists of within which people make choices. The added value to the inequalities across programme incorporates the Food for products and offer country’s diverse grasslands Germany five modules, each focussing on communities different aspects of funding a Life Served Here scheme, which pro- better prices to the and offers the highest prices business vides an independent endorsement producers to the producers that food providers are taking steps to improve the food they serve VISIT EUORGANIC2030.BIO FOR MORE ABOUT THESE EXAMPLES AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN MAKING OUR VISION FOR ORGANIC BY 2030 HAPPEN ORGANIC ON EVERY TABLE IMPROVE – INSPIRE – DELIVER FAIR PLAY – FAIR PAY 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 2 N 2 0 3 0 N N I O O S I The environmental, O I S I V A paradigm shift I S social and public Policy makers & V Farmers and I citizens widely in knowledge, Organic health costs and V Organic and Organic food & workers are paid recognise the Citizens education and contributes to New business benefits of farming agroecological farming systems are fairly: value and contributions of continue to learning reconnects delivering healthy are reflected in practices are resilient, continuously power are equally models and organic and choose organic society with food & & sustainable communications payments to farmers employed on more improve their distributed across promote it food and have farming diets foster trust and in the cost than half of EU performance & the system easy access of food farmlands inspire change between all to it actors

FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS FOOD & FARMING ACTORS POLICY-MAKERS

Engage and create links with actors Reform the CAP to ensure that Improve how we grow and process Increase research funding and support Inform citizens about the true cost of Develop a unified framework of indicators beyond the organic sector environmental and socio-economic food development of formal education and food, its origin and how it is produced for true cost accounting and value pricing, outcomes delivered by farmers are fully advisory systems with an organic focus which helps reward practices that deliver Build sustainable value chains to incentivised and rewarded Promote sustainable diets and the Develop or adopt new tools to create public benefits ensure economic viability and avoid consumption of healthy food Develop and implement organic transparency from farm to fork and dependence on subsidies Use green procurement to stimulate action plans enhance dialogue between all value Develop comprehensive production and sustainable diets in public canteens and Engage in knowledge generation and chain actors market information systems, and encourage Improve communication about the private sector mass catering sharing Ensure coherence between policies exchanges of price and production data benefits of organic production for related to food, farming, health, Develop and adopt a code of conduct society and the environment Prioritise access to land for new organic education and the environment for fair pricing and fair relationships Promote cooperation between value chain and transitioning farmers for value chain actors actors and support (local) approaches to rural empowerment

To transform food and farming successfully, value chain need to invest to increase the pro- Organic farming and production work farming actors need to get actively involved in It is a good time to be organic. Never before transparency about the origin, true value and high quality food must become more widely duction capacity, to support conversions and with nature to achieve the best possible research and innovation projects, and to share has the market been as big, nor has it grown production methods of food we buy. available. This can be achieved by increasing raise the profitability of organic, and to reduce results for people, animals and the planet. their knowledge across the value chain and all as rapidly. But while the sector begins to Policymakers also play an important part production, while also raising the level of the dependence on subsidies. A systems perspective and a spirit of conti- around Europe. expand beyond the niche market, the supply in maintaining balance in the value chains. recognition among consumers and policy- Policymakers also play a key role. A lot can nuous improvement are inherent parts of the To close the knowledge gap that exists chain actors must retain their organic spirit Accommodating the costs and benefits of makers of the economic, environmental and and should play a role in finding solutions be achieved with appropriate incentives and organic model, making it a key driver of trans- between organic and conventional food pro- food production is complicated. It can be social benefits provided by organic produc- for fairer and more transparent food systems. coherent policies to support the ecological formation. To inspire further change in our food duction, policymakers need to provide more done in various ways, such as taxes on pes- tion. They should do so in cooperation with entre- and social services that farmers provide. One and farming systems, organic producers need funding for organic research and innovation. ticides and fertilisers, or rewards for benefi- to continue reducing the use of resources at all preneurs and economic actors outside the To make this happen, the organic sector needs example would be to change the focus of Such research should be based on partici- cial environmental practices. Europe needs to levels, while increasing productivity, recycling sphere of food and farming. For food systems to reach out to food and farming actors work- the CAP to ensure fundamental support for patory, system-oriented approaches. There develop and adopt a basic set of key indicators and reusing inputs, improving animal health to be transparent and fair, all actors need to ing both within and beyond organic. Engag- farmers whose approaches inherently work is also a need to develop formal education showing the impacts on soil quality, water use, ing with conventional farmers, community towards the socioeconomic and environ- and welfare, and avoiding waste. As pro- work together to ensure that value and power waste production, energy and suchlike. A con- and advisory systems with an organic focus, leaders, citizens’ initiatives, companies and mental sustainability of their farms and their cessed food plays an ever bigger role in our are fairly distributed among all the operators ducive environment for sustainable food and to ensure the spread of practical knowledge NGOs dealing with sustainability, as well as regions. Moreover, through the choices made lifestyles, organic actors also need to improve in the system, and that the costs and bene- farming also depends on the availability of and skills. with schools, chefs and health advocates, will in the canteens of schools and hospitals, and the quality of such foods, using healthier re- fits of food production are accounted for. In information on production and market trends, ensure the recognition and support needed in in the catering for offices and restaurants, cipes and adopting minimal processing tech- Policymakers need to develop and imple- the organic sector, a continuous dialogue as this helps inform future investments. Policy- order to put organic food on every table. Cre- public bodies and the private sector alike niques. By promoting greater consumption of ment organic action plans that enable organic between producers, traders, certifiers and makers must create incentives to encourage ating links with these actors requires improve- also play a vital role in shaping how we eat. plant proteins and fewer, better quality ani- actors to improve and innovate, and inspire distributors would benefit the whole chain. operators to exchange price and produc- ments in the way we communicate, and the Finally, access to land is critical for the deve- mal products, the organic sector will contri- others to follow suit. Finally, the thorough There is a need for business models and sup- tion data. At the same time, promoting local use of diverse channels to tell the story of the lopment of sustainable farming. We need bute to healthier diets with a smaller car- transformation of our food and farming sys- ply chains that generate more added value approaches, such as community-supported benefits of organic food for society and eco- policies that address the phenomenon of bon footprint. There is a direct link between tems can only happen if there is complete for the primary producers, and which connect agriculture, bio-districts and city food net- systems. land grabbing, limit land concentration, foster improved performance in organic systems coherence between all policies related to citizens with producers – both physically and works, will encourage rural revival and build virtually. The organic sector should also capi- The success of organic food and farming also generational renewal and support new and increased know-how for organic food food and farming, health, education and the trust in the food systems. talise on technological developments, such depends on their economic viability. This farmers. production. Therefore, organic food and environment. as the Internet of things or block-chain tech- means that farmers, companies and the whole Soil Association nology, which promise to greatly enhance To support start-ups Liivimaa and farms in the organic Food for Life works with sector, Demeter Academy and public and private sector leaders Lihaveis created a EXAMP A support EXAMP to make good food the easy choice EXAMP government-certified quality Y LE partners offer young farmers and Y LE An evidence-based Y LE B programme for entrepreneurs knowledge, a biody- B for everyone, whoever and wherever B An organic scheme that unites organic beef G G programme that they are. The programme takes a whole G grass-fed beef N young people to N N I namic network, free space, feedback I impacts on health and I farmers in Estonia. The scheme

D take over a farm and support for legal, economic and D system approach to food, changing both D quality scheme that

A A

well-being, education, A ensures welfare of the animals,

E E

the food environment and food culture E aims to give more

L L or found organic social aspects of running organic sustainability and L sustains the biodiversity of the businesses in businesses. The program consists of within which people make choices. The added value to the inequalities across programme incorporates the Food for products and offer country’s diverse grasslands Germany five modules, each focussing on communities different aspects of funding a Life Served Here scheme, which pro- better prices to the and offers the highest prices business vides an independent endorsement producers to the producers that food providers are taking steps to improve the food they serve VISIT EUORGANIC2030.BIO FOR MORE ABOUT THESE EXAMPLES AND SUBMIT YOUR OWN TRANSFORMING FOOD & FARMING  MAKING IT HAPPEN

SUPPORTERS: AN ORGANIC ROADMAP TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD AND FARMING SYSTEMS IN EUROPE

VISION 2030

NEED INSPIRATION? HAVE AN INITIATIVE? ORGANIC IMPROVE VISIT EUORGANIC2030.BIO INSPIRE FAIR PLAY ON EVERY FAIR PAY TABLE DELIVER

IFOAM EU, 2017 [email protected] www.ifoam-eu.org +32 (0)2 280 68 44

Editors: Eduardo Cuoco & Yulia Barabanova Production Support: Eva Berckmans, Triin Viilvere & Magdalena Wawrzonkowska Proofreading: Alastair Penny / www.pennyweb.eu The middle pages of this Layout: Ecoprint Ltd / www.ecoprint.ee publication are a poster. Take it out This publication is co- nanced by the European Union, under the Executive Agency for Small and help us to transform food and and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME). The sole responsibility for this communication lies with IFOAM EU. The EASME is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. farming systems in Europe! IFOAM EU 11

IFOAM EU is recognised by the EU Institutions as the leading advocate on EU policy for organic food and farming

European COUNCIL OF THE European Commission EUROPEAN UNION Parliament Executive body Legislative body Legislative body of the EU of the EU of the EU • S trong contacts with the • R egular contact with • Good relationships with key European Commission national Permanent Members of the European at all levels, especially Representations and Parliament (MEPs) on with the Organics Unit coordination of advocacy the organic regulation, as well as other Units in work at the national level to CAP reform, GMOs, the Directorates General influence Council positions climate change and other for Agriculture & Rural • C ooperation with Council environmental issues Development, Environment, Presidencies: events such • Many political events Climate Action, Research & as the European Organic organised with key MEPs Innovation, Health & Food Congress with the Estonian on various topics, such Safety, Maritime Affairs & Presidency in 2017 as agricultrual and rural Fisheries • P articipation in high- development, GMO-free • Participation in diverse level events like the seeds and climate change consultations and Interparliamentary Meeting • Invitations to speak in the European Commission on the Common Agricultural European Parliament on Advisory and Civil Dialogue Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Horizon 2020 and on the EU Groups on topics related Policy organised by the Organic Action Plan, CAP, to organic farming, Romanian Presidency plant protection and seed CAP, direct payments, in 2019 legislation rural development, food chain quality and promotion, environment THAT’S WHY IFOAM EU HAS FORMED ALLIANCES and climate change, with farmer organisations, environmental, animal EIP-AGRI, environment and welfare and development NGOs and other civil society climate change, research groups, including Via Campesina, & innovation and the Europe, European Environmental Bureau, BirdLife European structural and Europe, , Slow Food Europe, Compassion investment funds in World Farming, COPA-COGECA, ACT Alliance, Oxfam, WWF, Corporate Europe Observatory, Action Network, Fair Trade Advocacy Office and many more. 12 Making Europe More Organic

Making Europe more organic Milestones

Organic presence at WINNING EU FUNDING FOR ORGANIC the heart of the EU DEVELOPMENT • High level of influence on relevant through extensive work on the EU research EU policies & innovation policy for agriculture, • Unified organic voice now heard at together with TP Organics. Organic all levels of the European institutions farming is mentioned in the legal texts of • More than 210 member Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. In organisations spanning the entire Horizon 2020 more than €400 million has organic food chain: farmers & been allocated to organic topics and to processors, retailers, certifiers, calls explicitly mentioning that organic consultants, traders, researchers, farming should be addressed and environmental & consumer advocacy bodies SHAPING THE NEW EU ORGANIC • Strategic alliances with other NGOs REGULATION by working with the European All reasons to be proud Commission, the EU Member States and the European Parliament. Between 2012 and 2018, IFOAM EU continuously ENSURING SUPPORT FOR provided political and technical input to THE DEVELOPMENT OF the revision of the organic regulation. Our AGROECOLOGICAL APPROACHES advocacy activities were crucial to reach a AND ORGANIC FARMING new organic regulation (EU 2018 / 848), under the Commission’s proposal for the which will stimulate the development and future CAP. Organic farming is eligible for fit the needs of the organic sector from support under both pillars of the CAP via 2021 onwards Eco-Schemes and Rural Development. The European Parliament’s Environment FIRST IFOAM EU CHAIR OF THE Committee went even further, requesting COMMISSION ADVISORY GROUP ON Member States to define a clear strategy ORGANIC FARMING for their organic sector under the CAP was IFOAM EU president Francis Blake, Strategic Plan and by assigning a budget elected in 2004, while former president to Eco-Schemes Christopher Stopes was elected Chair in IFOAM EU 13

2011. Current IFOAM EU president Jan GIVING ORGANIC FARMERS, Plagge is Chair of the Civil Dialogue Group PROCESSORS, RETAILERS AND on the Common Agricultural Policy CERTIFIERS A VOICE within IFOAM EU, and making sure that FOUNDING A RESEARCH & they have the space to form positions on INNOVATION PLATFORM issues relevant to their unique needs by 2007 marked the start of what has become setting up interest groups for organic pro- an influential advocacy platform for cessors (2006), farmers (2012), retailers organic research & innovation, TP Organics. (2018) and certifiers (2019) More than 100 organisations are involved, and since 2013 it is officially recognised by EUROPEAN ORGANIC CONGRESSES the European Commission as a European AND PROCESSING CONFERENCES technology platform attended by high-level policy-makers and authorities, and recognised as key events MAINTAINING A LEGISLATION for being informed about Europe-wide ON GMOs AND NEW GENETIC developments, for providing input to ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES IFOAM EU positions and for networking together with civil society and environ- mental NGOs since 2005. The fight to LEADING ORGANIC PROCESSING make Europe GMO-free continues by working on products and techniques to through IFOAM EU’s “Keeping GMOs out be allowed in organic processing, by push- of food” project, which has been running ing for reaching 100% organic ingredients since 2014 and by asking for even more transparent labelling DEVELOPING ALMOST 200 COMMON POSITIONS and bringing the reality of organic farming to decision-makers, based on the expertise and diversity of organic producers and operators. This is the movement’s and IFOAM EU’s strength! 14 Making Europe More Organic

Hot topics for 2019 and beyond

MAKING THE EUROPEAN ORGANIC Development Programmes by supporting VISION 2030 HAPPEN Member States during the design phase of the organic movement’s vision is one of a their CAP Strategic Plans. Ensuring a sup- fair, environmentally conscious, healthy portive environment for the development and caring system widely adopted in of organic farming using the new CAP is a Europe by 2030. Achieving our vision is key priority, following the principle that only possible through the joint efforts of public money should be used to provide the entire organic value chain, policy- public goods makers and citizens. IFOAM EU is leading the movement to share its examples, which SEEDS are showcased on euorganic2030.bio the new organic regulation is a step for- ward to enable less homogeneous seeds IMPLEMENTATION RULES OF THE to access the market and be used in NEW ORGANIC REGULATION (EU) No organic agriculture. IFOAM EU will conti­ 2018/848 nue advocating to adapt varieties’ criteria IFOAM EU is the voice of organic for EU (DUS) to the needs of organic farming. We legislators and is working tirelessly with will continue working collaboratively to the European Commission, the EU Mem- increase the use and availability of organic ber States and the European Parliament to seeds and towards a legislation that sup- make the new organic regulation worka- ports the development of the organic seed ble in practice. We are advocating on a sector and organic breeding. IFOAM EU is wide range of topics important to farmers, leading the LIVESEED project that consists processors, certifiers and other stakehol­ of 49 partners and aims to improve the ders in the organic value chain competitiveness of the organic seed and breeding sector and to encourage greater THE CAP REFORM AND ITS FUTURE use of organic seeds by farmers IMPLEMENTATION IFOAM EU is actively working with its NEW GMOs AND NEW GENETIC members to achieve a reform of the CAP ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES that rewards farmers who contribute to IFOAM EU, its members and like-minded public goods. We are also preparing the organisations are working to maintain an implementation of the post-2020 CAP with efficient legal framework to regulate new a focus on Pillar 1 Eco-Schemes and Rural techniques as GMOs. IFOAM EU 15

This advocacy work is key to maintain a natural resources and agriculture in GMO-free supply chain in the EU Horizon Europe, the EU’s Framework Programme for Research & Innovation EUROPEAN INNOVATION PARTNERSHIP FOR AGRICULTURE BUILDING CAPACITY IN ORGANIC as a key stakeholder, IFOAM EU is influen­ FARMING cing the selection of innovation priorities by leading and taking part in research pro- to drive sustainability of the EU’s food and jects that address crucial knowledge gaps farming system based on the principles of in organic farming. We are also promoting organic and agroecology. We are also the exchange of knowledge among advocating for the knowledge and innova- organic farmers, farm advisers and scien- tion needs of the organic sector and facili- tists. For example, IFOAM EU and partners tate collaboration between researchers have established the Organic Farm Knowl- and practitioners through Horizon Europe edge platform, which offers access to a and the CAP wide range of tools and resources about organic farming that can help improve COUNTERING CLIMATE CHANGE production WITH ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IFOAM EU and its members are working on HEALTHY PLANTS AND ANIMALS facing the challenges climate change puts IFOAM EU is continuously working to close on agriculture. We are also influencing poli- the nutrient cycles and improve the cur- cies, so the entire agriculture sector con- rent legal framework for natural plant pro- tributes its fair share to reducing tection products and fertilisers suitable for greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, we organic farming. Moreover, we are are demonstrating organic’s value as a involved in the RELACS project that seeks front-runner in the fight against climate to find alternatives to contentious inputs change by highlighting practices that help in organic farming systems. This includes farmers mitigate and adapt to its effects, the development of cost-efficient and that also protect biodiversity and environmentally safe alternatives to antimicrobials and anthelmintics SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EU RESEARCH & INNOVATION FUNDING by advocating for funding to be allocated to the integrated approach and value pro- vided by organic food and farming sys- tems and agroecology. We do this together with TP Organics and are focussing on the €10 billion being made available for food, Join the European organic movement

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CONTACT US: IFOAM EU Rue du Commerce 124 1000 Brussels, Belgium +32 2 416 52 32 www.ifoam-eu.org [email protected] [email protected] +32 2 280 12 23