26/10/2021

Preview of events

Save the date: Webinar on organic approach to plant health 16 November, online

On 16 November, from 10:30-12:00, MEP Eric Andrieu (S&D) will co-host our website on the organic approach to plant health in a pesticide reduction perspective. As the European Commission is finalising its proposal for a revised Sustainable Use of pesticides Directive (SUD), this webinar comes at a good time.

Tune in to get answers to questions like:

  • What are the challenges to implement and develop the organic approach to plant health in the EU?
  • How can EU policies support the development of this unique approach to plant health to achieve a 50% reduction in the use and risks of pesticides by 2030, as set out in the Farm to Fork strategy?

There will be simultaneous interpretations in English and French. Further information on programme and registration will follow soon. IFOAM Organics Europe members will find early information on our member extranet.

Revised Sustainable Use of pesticides Directive (SUD) expected early 2022

With the Farm to Fork strategy, the European Commission has set out an ambitious framework for developing a sustainable food system for the EU, including a target to reduce the use and risks of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030. The key role of organic agriculture in this transition has been recognised by also setting a target to achieve 25% of agricultural land under organic area by 2030.

In early 2022, the European Commission will present a proposal for a revised Sustainable Use of pesticides Directive (SUD), which is currently the main EU instrument to reduce the impact of pesticides on human health and the environment. According to the Farm to Fork strategy, this will be one of the main tools to reach the Farm to Fork’s target on pesticide reduction, in particular by strengthening provisions for Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Organic and other integrated approaches lead the way

A successful reduction of synthetic pesticide use needs to be well-prepared. Alternative approaches such as organic agriculture – but also IPM, biocontrol and agroecology – can lead the way towards an agrifood system free of synthetic pesticides provided that the entire political framework enables their development.

As the Commission finalises its proposal on the revised SUD, it is relevant to discuss the challenges and policy options to enable pesticide reduction strategies based on effective and ready-to-use alternative approaches, such as organic farming.

For more information on plant health and IFOAM Organics Europe’s work on this issue, please contact [email protected]. IFOAM Organics Europe members can find more information on the member extranet and background materials in the arguments database on the member extranet (main messages, arguments/FAQs, visuals & videos).

For information about what you can gain from being a member, read our membership page and contact [email protected].

This event is co-financed by the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament.

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

Registration open: 6th European Conference on Copper in Plant Protection 17-18 November 2021, online
Conference on Copper in Plant Protection

Registration for the 6th European Conference on Copper in Plant Protection is now open! Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (BÖLW), IFOAM Organics Europe and the Julius-Kühn Institute are pleased to invite researchers, national and local authorities, politicians, industry, and practitioners to discuss the following questions:

  • Which innovations support copper minimization?
  • Which research and development projects can solve the challenges?
  • What political framework conditions are necessary for this?

Day one will focus on the policy framework for minimising copper (conference language German), while day two will be dedicated to presentations of practical trials, product and strategy innovations for copper minimisation (conference language English).

Have a look at the programme for further information! On 17 November, IFOAM Organics Europe’s Policy Coordinator Mathilde Calmels will present the Strategy for the minimisation of copper in organic farming in Europe developed by IFOAM Organics Europe in 2018. The day after, on 18 November, she will present the first results of the national workshops on copper organised within the RELACS project, focusing on farmer’s acceptability of copper alternatives.

Places are limited, so remember to register by 16 November!

Day two is carried out on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) as part of the Federal Program for Organic Farming and Other Forms of Sustainable Agriculture (BÖLN).

 

 

IFOAM Organics Europe Council will meet on 23 November 2021

The next edition of IFOAM Organics Europe Council meeting will take place on 23 November 2021.

Are you a member of IFOAM Organics Europe? Contact your national representative (Council member) for an update of these meetings.

Are you an IFOAM Organics Europe Council member? Go to our member extranet Council space, where we upload all details.

Not a member yet? Check out membership advantages and contact [email protected] for more information.

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

Save the Date & Register now for the Organic Innovation Days 2021, 30 November -1 December 2021

Register now to attend this year’s Organic Innovation Days and discuss Better inputs for organic farming. TP Organics’ annual public event will take place online 30 November 30-1 December, 2021.

For this year’s edition of Organic Innovation Days, TP Organics is collaborating with the European research projects RELACS and Organic-PLUS. These two Horizon 2020-funded EU projects aim to reduce the use of contentious inputs in organic farming.

What to expect?

The first day will discuss alternatives to contentious inputs in organic farming and participants will take a closer look at crop protection products. Different alternatives and results will be presented by the experts of the projects and discussed afterwards.

On the second day, Organic-PLUS and RELACS experts will present the socio-economic results of the projects in 3 sessions:

  • Consumer perspectives and citizen juries;
  • Socio-economic and environmental impacts of alternative tools and technologies;
  • Acceptance level of different alternative inputs, towards a European roadmap for replacing contentious inputs.

These exchanges will be followed by a high-level policy debate on how to tackle contentious inputs in organic farming before the event is concluded with an outline of the next steps.

Consult the event webpage to stay up to date, download the draft programme and register by 28 November!

The event will take place online via the virtual event platform Hubilo. You will receive the link to the online event together with the confirmation email. Present on social media? Share your thoughts and pictures from the event using the hashtags #OrganicInnovationDays #OID2020 #TPOrganics as well as the Twitter handles @TPOrganics@RELACSeu & @OrgPLUSresearch.

These sessions are financed by the projects RELACS and Organic-PLUS, which have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreements No 773431 and No 774340, respectively

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

Register now for IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business on 7 December, online – The event for companies involved & interested in organic

Register now for the upcoming 4th edition of IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business, taking place virtually on 7 December. This successful platform for exchange between players from the whole (organic) supply chain brings together IFOAM Organics Europe’s members and their members, as well as companies involved or interested in organic.

Join us and discuss current hot topics and trends in organic. In the morning session, we will talk about organic market development and societal trends, while the afternoon will be dedicated to the new EU Organic Regulation and pesticide residues.

Have a look at the sessions we are organising

  • Organic market development & societal trends
  • The new EU Organic Regulation: general update, processing rules, cleaning & disinfectants
  • How to deal with pesticide residues?
  • Quick update on the Organic Regulation Guidelines

Interested? Register now and take your chance to exchange and network with participants, policy-makers and (organic) companies.

More details on the programme are available on the event page. Stay tuned for event and speakers updates by visiting IFOAM Organics Europe’s website, checking out our LinkedIn event and following @OrganicsEurope on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook!

Should you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

We are looking forward to meeting you virtually at IFOAM Organics Europe Meets Business 2021!

 
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