Concerns about EC organics regulation

The shadow boxing is over. IFOAM (the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) EU, as recently as September, at their eighth organic congress, were still concerned, but not overtly, about the new European Commission organic regulation proposal.

However, their November paper lays out clearly what they see as problematic in the proposal. “Without substantial changes, IFOAM EU would have no choice but to reject the proposal,” is the latest, stark statement from the EU branch of IFOAM.

According to IFOAM EU, the proposal “ignores many of the recommendations offered by the sector throughout the Commission’s regulatory review and revision process.” The federation, an umbrella for 160 European organisations involved in organic farming and food, are concerned that the new proposal will present “new obstacles and will add even more burden than before, without offering any real benefits, over and above the present regulation”.