Welcome note June 2022 Newsletter

Dear readers,

Summer has arrived all over Europe and harvesting season is upon us. Summer mood is not slowing down our office, which is keeping up the good work. The organic movement is also not taking a break from its activities, just like crops continue growing, a lot is going on this season.

This month’s 2022 edition of the European Organic Congress (EOC) was a great success. Co-organised with INTERBIO Nouvelle-Aquitaine, it provided the perfect platform for policymakers, expert speakers and (organic) stakeholders from all over Europe to discuss the latest trends and our vision for a post-pandemic Europe. Read on in our newsletter for a full report about the 2022 European Organic Congress.

As many of you know, BIOFACH 2022 is coming up for its special summer edition 26-29 July in Nürnberg, Germany. The fair is a great occasion for organic operators of the entire supply chain, organic associations, and decision-makers to meet, exchange and learn. This year, participants will be able to join both in-person and digitally. Have a look at the events we are organising at BIOFACH and join us! We will contribute with several sessions on policy, regulation, and research. Our President, Jan Plagge, will engage in a conversation with the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski at Policy Day: A new Policy and Regulatory Framework for Organics, opportunities and challenges on 26 July. Our Vice President, Marian Blom, will take part in the session The future of certification in organic: A new organic regulation, a target for 25% organic land: What impact on organic certification system? on 28 July. And, of course, feel free to come and say ‘hi’ at Hall 3A, booth 517 (yes, our booth has moved).

Later in the summer of 2022, we are launching the first-ever Organic Europe Youth Event (OEYE 2022), which will take place in Frick, Switzerland from 31 August-1 September. This event is open to youth interested in organic and, will provide them with a platform to discuss the potential and challenges of the organic sustainable food system. Participants in the youth event will grow their professional network, marking the starting point of a permanent network for European organic youth. Make sure to share this event with your network and have a look at the videos we have created together with co-organisers BioSuisse and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).

In September, the European Commission will approve national Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-27 Strategic Plans. National governments are now reviewing their draft and sending it back to the Commission. On 7 June 2022, we published a press release sharing our organic farmers’ observations and raising our demands to Member States and the Commission on the review and approval of the CAP Strategic Plans. We called on:

Member States to increase their support for organic farming; and
The Commission to continue their dialogue with Member States to make sure they modify their plans to increase their interventions and budgets for organic and so, the overall environmental ambition before approving them.

Also in September there will be the first full-blown edition of the EU Organic Day, on September 23. That day also marks the first-ever EU Organics Awards. Are you organising your own activity to highlight EU Organic Day in your own country? Let us know and email information about your initiative to [email protected]. Are you in need of inspiration for activities on that day? Have a look at our member-only webinar where our members share what they will do!

Last but not least, we remind you that we are still celebrating our 20-year anniversary throughout 2022. If you would like to be a part of this celebration, feel free to send in your written and/or video testimonials to tell us about your experience with us. Contact [email protected] to learn more.

I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events soon! And remember, don’t panic, the future is organic!

All the best,
Eduardo