Overhaul of EU organic rules edges closer

A preliminary agreement on an overhaul of the existing EU rules on organic production and labelling of organic products has been reached.

The agreed regulation, between the Maltese presidency and the European Parliament, sets more modern and uniform rules across the EU, with the aim of encouraging the sustainable development of organic production in the EU.

The new rules also aim to guarantee fair competition for farmers and operators, prevent fraud and unfair practices and improve consumer confidence in organic products.

Organic farmland has more than doubled in the last decade and each year 500,000ha of land is converted into organic production.

However, the legislative framework has not kept up with such market expansion and still includes different practices and derogations.

According to the European Commission, the new rules will:

Make the life of organic farmers easier

This will be done by enhancing legal clarity and allowing for further harmonisation and simplification of production rules.

A number of past exceptions and derogations will be phased out subject to relevant Commission reports.

Increase consumer confidence by strengthening the control system

Preventive and precautionary measures have been clarified and made more robust (e.g. the roles and responsibilities of the different controlling bodies).

The new regulation introduces checks on retailers and a risk-based approach to controls, thus reducing the administrative burden for operators in general, and SMEs in particular.

Specific controls on organic farming will be complemented by the recently introduced rules on official controls along the food chain.

Make competition between EU products and imports fairer

The ‘compliance system’ will become the rule as regards the recognition of the private control bodies in third countries.

This means that these bodies will have to comply with EU production and control rules when deciding whether a product to be exported to the EU market is organic or not. Furthermore the development of new trade agreements with third countries will enable EU operators to find new market opportunities outside of Europe.

Enlarge the scope of organic rules

This will cover a wider list of products (e.g. salt, cork, beeswax, maté, vine leaves, palm hearts) and see additional production rules in certain sectors (e.g. deer, rabbits and poultry).

Support small farmers

This will be done by introducing a new system of group certification.

This will make it easier for small farmers to switch to organic farming by reducing inspection and certification costs, as well as the related administrative burden.

Provide a more uniform approach on pesticides

The new regulation harmonises precautionary measures thereby enhancing legal security. At the same time, it builds flexibility in the case of measures to be taken in the presence of non-authorised substances to take account of the different situations of different member states.

This means that those countries that already national rules in place establishing thresholds for non-authorised substances will be able to maintain them.

Four years after the entry into force of the new rules the Commission will come forward with a report assessing national rules and practices in the field and may also table a legislative proposal to further harmonise rules concerning thresholds for non-authorised substances.

Phase out derogations for production in demarcated beds in greenhouses

Farmers utilising demarcated beds in greenhouses up until 28 June 2017 in Denmark, Sweden and Finland will be able to maintain this practice for 10 years.

In the meantime the Commission will assess the compatibility of this practice with the principles of organic production and in light of the result of this analysis, it may table a legislative proposal.

The much anticipated agreement comes after three years of intense negotiations and will have to be formally endorsed by the Council and the Parliament.

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