After discussion of some of the elements of the European Union’s proposed revisions to the organic regulations during an EU Agriculture Council session, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements EU section called for a new proposal that would include proper implementation of controls in Member States and regions, as well as group certification for small farmers in Europe, improved origin labeling and the introduction of environmental performance requirements for processors and traders. According to IFOAM EU, several ministers in the EU Agriculture Council session stressed the specificity of organic inspection and therefore the need to keep organic control within the organic legislative framework, and not to shift it to the horizontal legislation for food and feed control as is being proposed by the Commission. Some ministers recommended improving the current framework, as it would achieve the Commission’s aims better than a complete revision.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
