Agri-Food Vision recognises organic as best practice in generational renewal and protection of ecosystem services

BRUSSELS, 19 FEBRUARY 2025 – IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes that the Vision for Agriculture and Food recognises organic agriculture as an attractive career choice for young farmers, and an important contribution to an agri-food sector where “ecosystem services beneficial to the environment, water, soil or air quality, such as in the growing organic sector, are properly rewarded”. 

“We are happy to experience that the younger generation is attracted to what organic has to offer: social and environmental benefits, as well as a growing market, and that the Vision acknowledges that organic farmers must be adequately remunerated through the CAP for their protection of ecosystem services” said IFOAM Organics Europe President Jan Plagge. On the CAP, he mentioned that “the Vision’s intention, in line with the Strategic Dialogue report, to direct CAP payments towards farmers engaged in environmental preservation and the economic vitality of farms is welcome”. 

Eduardo Cuoco, director of IFOAM Organics Europe: “I am pleased that the Vision recognises that ‘continuous support for organic farming remains essential’ in the context of soil health. Healthy soils are the foundation of resilient food systems, and organic farming has long demonstrated its positive impact on preserving and enhancing soil fertility. It is also encouraging that the Vision reiterates the need for a Water Resilience Strategy. It is urgent to protect our drinking water, and we look forward to seeing how organic farming, with its well-documented benefits in reducing water pollution and improving water retention, will be mobilised to contribute to building a more water-resilient future”.

While IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes that the Commission will put forward a proposal that will accelerate the uptake of biocontrol, we regret that the Vision does not sufficiently address the need to reduce synthetic pesticides – preventing the environmental and social consequences that stem from their use is an important step in achieving more resilient, competitive and sustainable agri-food system. 

IFOAM Organics Europe looks forward to providing its cooperation and support in the implementation of this Vision through the European Board of Agriculture and Food in the months and years to come.

Ends.

Contact details

Eric Gall, Deputy Director
+32 491 07 25 37, eric.gall@organicseurope.bio
or visit www.organicseurope.bio