Ten take-aways of the European Organic Congress 2021 – 16-18 June, online, live from Lisbon

Following a successful edition of the hybrid European Organic Congress 2021, we are happy to share the ten key take-aways from the Congress. These include the sessions recordings, so those of you who could not make it can revisit the event and learn from our high-level policymakers and expert attendees.

1. Participants and high-level speakers from the European Commission, European Parliament and Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union agree that organic farming is part of the solution to reach the European Green Deal’s objectives and EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies’ targets.
2. To reach the EU’s 25% organic land target laid out in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, co-legislators of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must ensure CAP strategic plans regulation mentions the need to develop and adequately support organic farming.
3. The new European Organic Action Plan is a great step to promote organic production and consumption across the EU. To ensure its success, each Member State needs to develop a national plan drawing on a comprehensive analysis of the organic sector, incentives, clear deadlines and a national organic land target.
4. Biodistricts can contribute to developing rural areas and reaching the 25% organic land target by 2030.
5. We need a systemic approach to tackle the climate and biodiversity crises. Organic farming is part of the solution to transition to a European food and farming system that is resilient and mitigate its effects on the environment.
6. The new EU Organic Regulation will apply from 1 January 2022 and bring major changes for organic operators. To ensure successful implementation, a balance between harmonization harmonization at EU level and adaptation at regional level is crucial, without derogating from the organic principles.
7. Many farmers, food processors and retailers are already making Europe more organic through inspiring initiatives that enhance organic production along the entire value chain – from farm to fork. Check them out on www.euorganic2030.bio.
8. More than 660 participants from all over Europe and the world attended this hybrid Congress. The three most frequently mentioned keywords of our audience were cooperation, inspiration and ambition!
9. Did you miss the chance to take part or do you want to relive the Congress? Watch the congress videos, go through our Twitter Moments, and revisit #EOC2021.
10. A heart-felt ‘Thank you’ to our members, speakers, participants, technical consultants, co-organisers, sponsors, funders and media partners! You made this Congress possible and exciting.

Stay tuned about the date and location of the next edition of the European Organic Congress by visiting europeanorganiccongress.bio and following @OrganicsEurope on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. IFOAM Organics Europe will post updates about the Congress with #EUOrganic2030 and #EOC2022.

Feel free to contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the congress.