Welcome note May 2021 newsletter
Dear readers,
It is spring, a period I associate with birth and budding blossoms, the energetic execution of gardening plans I have been brooding on during winter and a wonderful harvest in mind. Not unlike the European organic movement, who plans activities, sows ideas and is looking forward to a few busy and crucial seasons.
One of our focal points are ‘new genomic techniques’. Following the publication of the Commission’s study, we will mobilise you, our members and the movement, to continue protecting the organic food system and the precautionary principle. For an in-depth reading, have a look at our political hotspot and press release of 29 April.
Another focal point is the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Portuguese Presidency is committed to concluding the CAP reform by May 2021. Member States are developing their CAP Strategic Plans that will be submitted to the Commission within the coming months. In an article you can read about the state of play and our work.
Those interested in the CAP can discuss, learn and exchange how to align the CAP Strategic Plans with the EU Green Deal at our European Organic Congress from 16-18 June 2021. The Congress will take place online, live from Lisbon and is organised in collaboration with our partner Agrobio. As you can expect from us, we will also cover the changes in the new EU Organic Regulation, organic’s contribution to climate change mitigation and the transition towards sustainable food systems and rural development. You can discover the fascinating work being done on the ground in Portugal, linking organic farming with health and biodiversity. Have a look at the programme and stay tuned for the registration opening in May.
Another highlight will be our Organic Food Conference, from 30 September-1 October 2021 in Warsaw, Poland. Under the motto ‘The future of organic food’ sector representatives and policymakers will talk about the new EU Organic Regulation, the European Organic Action Plan, organic market trends and much more. The conference is organised together with our partner, the Polish Chamber of Organic Food (PIZE). More information will follow soon.
Did you know that the new EU Organic Regulation, replacing the current one from 2022 on, has 23 implemented and delegate acts? It means that reading and understanding the new regulation will be challenging for organic operators. I am really pleased that IFOAM Organics Europe is drafting an interpretation to guide our members and organic stakeholders. More information will follow in the coming weeks.
On behalf of the European organic movement, I wish you a healthy spring, lots of inspiration and good harvests ahead.
Organic regards,
Marian Blom
IFOAM Organics Europe Vice President