Rules on organic food to be updated

EUROPEAN Union updated rules on organic food are expected to be agreed by ministers in June, according to Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.

After that, it’s up to a combination of the producers’ ingenuity and the market to decide how far this sector develops, she said.

Writing in her blog, she said the organic sector in Europe offers huge potential for growth in the years ahead — “if we get things right“.

She noted that European consumers are becoming ever more conscious of what they eat and this is reflected in the growth figures for the organic market.

“That is why we have set about updating our organic food rules, to ensure that shoppers know what they are buying wherever they may be.

“Organic production addresses a number of consumer expectations on quality, environmental care, animal welfare and economic development in rural areas.

“We are working hard to establish an effective framework to allow organic producers to flourish. To do this, we want to improve the available information, organic farming standards and import and inspection requirements. An EU logo will play an important role here, but I must stress this would not mean the end of long-established national and private labels.”

Ms Fischer Boel said she likes organic food, but she also accepts that it’s not for everyone.

“But I’m sure we’ll see continued healthy growth in this sector in the years to come,” she said.