EU Organic Awards recognise excellence, as Court report stresses need for long-term vision for organic & stronger CAP

BRUSSELS, 23 SEPTEMBER 2024 – Today, on EU Organic Day, Europe celebrates its organic sector and operators. Locally and nationally, the movement is extra visible at a diversity of events giving a face to #EUorganic. At European level, the Commission unveiled the winners of this year’s EU Organic Awards and took stock of the European organic action plan.

IFOAM Organics Europe’s Director Eduardo Cuoco said: “Before celebrating the winners of the EU Organic Awards, I would like to point at a timely report of the European Court of Auditors which recommends that, to develop EU organic, the Commission should better integrate environmental and market objectives into CAP support and better target post-2027 funds. The report also recommends improving the EU’s strategic approach for organic by defining a long-term vision for the sector – beyond 2030.”

The winners of the 2024 EU Organic Awards are only some of the actors and projects that would benefit from a stronger Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and long-term vision for organic. The projects awarded today show how the organic supply chain is already creating innovative value chains and generating opportunities for rural areas:

• Best organic farmer (female) to Ms Reinhilde Frech-Emmelmann in Austria, founder of ReinSaat GmbH, in 1998. She started her company at a biodynamic Demeter farm in St. Leonhard am Hornerwald, Lower Austria. The farm focuses on producing organic, GMO-free seeds, offering more than 800 resilient seed varieties. Its mission is to foster biodiversity and support sustainable farming practices throughout Europe;
• Best organic farmer (male) to Mr Benny Schöpf in Germany, chief vegetable grower at Kartoffelkombinat, the largest community-supported  farm in Germany. The farm supplies organic vegetables to 2,300 households each week, emphasizing fair working conditions and sustainable methods. Its focus is on promoting an alternative agricultural economic model;
• Best organic region to South Savo in Finland, which managed to build a strong organic farming culture through 40 years of collaboration between farmers, researchers, and local authorities. The region, home to 200 organic farms, actively promotes sustainable practices to protect water quality and biodiversity. It also hosts the Finnish Organic Research Institute;
• Best organic city to BioStadt Bremen in Germany, encompassing over 30% of farms certified organic, and promoting sustainable food systems through community projects and innovative farming initiatives, empowering citizens to drive local change. BioStadt Bremen aims to transition all municipal catering in schools, crèches, and hospitals to 100% organic by 2025;
• Best organic bio-district to Sörmland Bio-district in Sweden, a pioneer in organic farming since the 1940s, bringing together farms, food processors, restaurants, Eco-hotel and an Eco-bank. With 20% of its farmland dedicated to organic production, the district supports local organic products, encourages sustainable tourism, and raises awareness of the health benefits of organic food;
• Best organic food processing SME to Gino Girolomoni Cooperativa Agricola, in Italy, is a cooperative specialised in organic pasta production, continuing the mission of its founder, Gino Girolomoni. Covering 80 hectares of organic farmland and operating with renewable energy, the facility produces 9 million tons of pasta annually, supporting more than 300 farmers and employing 60 local workers;
• Best organic food retailer to SAiFRESC in Spain, founded by three farmers in 2011, it transitioned to organic farming, revitalising agriculture in the Huerta de Valencia. On 30 hectares of organic land, they produce 70 organic products, selling 90% of their harvest locally while minimizing packaging. The initiative supports a circular economy and offers educational workshops on organic farming.
• Best organic restaurant/food service to Kalf & Hansen in Sweden, founded in 2014 by Rune and Fabian Kalf-Hansen, this restaurant chain offers 100% organic, seasonal Nordic cuisine. With two restaurants, catering services, and organic meals offered on Swedish trains, Kalf & Hansen focuses on local sourcing, sustainability, and providing affordable organic meals while fostering strong relationships with local producers.

Following the ceremony, IFOAM Organics Europe’s President, Jan Plagge, celebrated the winners saying that “Every day, the EU organic movement shows that sustainable food and farming systems – within our planetary boundaries – that provide a fair income for farmers are a reality. I congratulate this year’s winners who give a face to those delivering environmental and climate protection, while fostering economic and social sustainability – a common goal identified in the Strategic Dialogue. May their endeavours inspire many more to become part of this food and farming revolution towards a more resilient, sustainable and competitive future.”

While the Organic Action Plan supports EU initiatives to increase the market and demand for organic, there is still work ahead. The European Court of Auditors’ special report Organic farming in the EU: Gaps and inconsistencies hamper the success of the policy shows that there are many opportunities to better use the Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP) funding to strengthen farmers’ position in the value chain and further develop organic. In IFOAM Organics Europe’s Director Eduardo Cuoco’s words: “The report recommends the European Commission to better integrate environmental and market objectives into the CAP’s support and better target post-2027 funds to develop the organic sector. The court’s vision is in line with the strategic dialogue’s recommendations asking to ensure that farmers who provide more environmental and social benefits are rewarded. The court also calls on the Commission to improve the EU’s strategic approach for the organic sector by defining a long-term vision for the sector beyond 2030. Providing stability and prospects to farmers is key, and we are ready to provide our expertise to address these recommendations in the upcoming vision for food and agriculture.” 

Ends.

Contact details

Eva Berckmans, Communications Manager
+32 2 416 27 62, [email protected]
or visit www.organicseurope.bio

Background information

European Court of Auditor’s report: Organic farming in the EU: gaps and inconsistencies hamper the success of the policy

About EU Organic Awards

24 candidates from 11 EU countries were shortlisted out of nearly 100 applications.

With 7 categories and 8 individual awards, the EU Organic Awards recognise innovative, sustainable, and inspiring projects that add significant value to organic production and consumption.

For more information about the previous winners of EU Organic Awards:

• Articles about past EU Organic Awards winners on our website,
• On social media using #EUOrganic
• 2023: Videos winners #EUOrganic Awards 2023 and our article,
• 2022: Videos winners #EUOrganic Awards 2022, and our article. 

The EU Organic Awards are as commitment of the Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production. They are jointly organised by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA, and IFOAM Organics Europe, with support from the European Parliament and the Council. 

About EU Organic Day

EU Organic Day, an initiative launched in 2021 by the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission celebrates and promotes organic production. Besides the EU Organic Awards ceremony in Brussels, organic becomes more visible at many local, national and regional events – in person, online and according to the organisers’ own flavours. 

Have a look at the initiatives taking place this year by visiting the map of initiatives on our EU Organic Day page and using #EUorganic and #EUorganicDay on social media.