23/09/2024

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:

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:

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.

The work of IFOAM Organics Europe on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

 
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