REPORT PROVIDES COMMON FRAMEWORK FOR AGRI-FOOD GOALS
IFOAM Organics Europe, the European umbrella organisation for organic food and farming, has welcomed joint targets identified by growers, suppliers, government organisations and retailers, to address current challenges that affect potato growers.
The ‘Strategic Dialogue on the future of EU agriculture’ was launched a year ago by European Commission President von der Leyen with the above stakeholders across the supply chain developing joint recommendations.
Following on from this, they have now launched a report providing a common framework for action to reach the EU’s environmental goals in the agri-food system.
The recommendations bridge the EU’s objectives by proposing concrete steps and strategies for implementation, according to Jan Plagge, IFOAM Organics Europe’s President, who took part in the dialogue.
He said: “The Strategic Dialogue was not a walk in the park, but it proved to be a valuable initiative to move beyond the current polarisation on agriculture issues. The dialogue succeeded in identifying a common way forward for EU agriculture, considering it should be within the planetary boundaries and reconcile environmental sustainability with a fair income for growers. There is broad agreement that transitioning to sustainable farming systems is necessary and should pay off for farmers. This will mean a significant reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) so it adequately rewards organic farmers and offers real financial added value for the environmental services they are providing.”
With almost 200 members in 34 European countries, IFOAM’s work spans the entire organic food chain and beyond, including growers, processors retailers, certifiers, consultants, traders, researchers, environmental organisations and consumer advocacy bodies.
The Strategic Dialogue’s report includes several recommendations on how to strengthen and reinforce the organic sector:
• Adequate funding through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to support the conversion and maintenance of organic farms;
• A balanced development of supply and demand by stimulating the demand for organic products, such as through sustainable public procurement;
• Strengthening the organic market by investing in promoting the European organic logo in EU and third countries and supporting organic retailers and processors by more coherent requirements and less burdensome rules and controls;
• Enhance funding for organic research within European innovation partnerships and upcoming EU research programmes;
• Establish policies and funding mechanisms for knowledge creation and dissemination and mainstream education to organic farming and agroecology in agricultural training;
• Foster the growth of organic farming networks and advisory services at national and EU level;
• A CAP that remunerates farmers for the benefits they are providing for ecosystem functions;
• Organic farming featuring as the highest level within an animal welfare labelling;
• Bio-districts as an example to follow for rural development;
• Reducing administrative burden for farmers who are already engaged in certified sustainable farming methods in a tailored approach.
ORGANIC YIELDS POOR AND GROWERS FORCED TO RE-CATEGORISE IN NETHERLANDS
