“Being Organic in EU” project events in Biofach
The BEING ORGANIC in EU project is a promotion campaign proposed by FederBio in cooperation with Naturland co-financed by the European Union under EU Regulation No. 1144/2014., which aims to increase and strengthen the consideration of European organic farming in the Italian and German markets by raising awareness and recognition of EU organic farming practices and the EU organic logo.
IFOAM Organics Europe was happy to take part in the project organising 2 sessions and 1 networking reception in Biofach, the biggest and most prestigious international fair for organic, happening yearly in Nuremberg, Germany.
- European organic market developments (analyses) – 14 February 2023. We discussed EU organic market developments with Marco Santori (AssoBio/Alcenero) and Steffen Reese (Naturland). Steffen Reese mentioned the current crisis the organic market is facing, explaining that we should put it into perspective: we must use the pre-COVID-19 year as baseline (less organic demand than the Covid years) & increase information flow to consumers, so they can make informed choices and buy organic more. Marco Santori inspired the audience encouraging everyone to be and do better, just like organic producers. He also highlighted the crucial role of simple & aggregate communication between organic operators & consumers. All the session’s speakers agreed on and stressed the importance of sharing international experiences across borders, which is made possible by EU promotional projects, like Being Organic in EU.
- We organised the project Networking Reception in Biofach – 14 February 2023. It was a great occasion to learn more about the Being Organic in EU campaign & mingle with organic stakeholders, all while tasting some delicious organic food & drinks. IFOAM Organics Europe Director Eduardo Cuoco, along with Paolo Carnemolla (Federbio) & Marco Schlüter (Naturland), gave an introduction to the project. Jorge Pinto Antunes, Deputy Head of Cabinet of DG AGRI Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, was present at the reception
- Lastly, we discussed the topic of Sustainability Labelling – 16 February 2023, high at the moment on the EU political agenda, crucial to understand for organic stakeholders and with high potential impact on organic demand. Our Deputy Director and Policy Manager Eric Gall, informed the audience that the current LCA-based methodology (the Product Environmental Footprint – PEF) envisaged by policymakers to inform the next sustainability labels, is not fit to assess the environmental impact of agri-food products and might favour intensive production systems rather than sustainable farming methods, such as organic practices. Sabine Bonnot (ITAB) explained that alternatives exist, such as the PlanetScore. This sustainability label used in France also uses PEF as basis but considers other externalities not sufficiently considered in the LCA methodology (pesticides, climate, biodiversity&animal welfare) through a bonus/malus system. Judith Faller-Moog, President of BioPlanète, also endorsed the PlanetScore as a more encompassing label, which would contribute to reaching the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy objectives.
We also talked at the press conference “Organic Farming in Europe and market scenario in Italy” organised under the project. We highlighted that in the context of the global economic slowdown, more powerful and impactful consumer communication will be essential to revitalize the organic market. The policies, such as EU promotion schemes can play a role here. More organic associations, producers and distributors should make use of this funding.
Funded by the project Being Organic in EU of the European Union, coordinated by Federbio and Naturland. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.