Welcome note
Dear readers,
The coming month will be one of celebrating life! Harvesting times are upon us and we are also working hard to see what the current Commission’s legislative proposals will yield ahead of next year’s elections in June 2024.
Celebrating EU organic
But before that, we are celebrating EU Organic Day on the autumn equinox, 23 September. Many of our members have submitted initiatives they are organising to spotlight organic nationally and locally – get inspired on our interactive map and be visible on social media using #EUOrganicDay and #EUOrganic on your social media platform of choice. Are you an IFOAM Organics Europe member? We did the work for you! Go to our member extranet > hot topics > EU Organic Day 2023 for an update on the communication package. Cannot access the member extranet? Check out our extranet login guidelines or contact [email protected]!
Rewarding organic excellence
On 25 September, the European Commission will take stock of the EU Organic Action Plan and reward excellence in organic food and farming. During the awards ceremony, 8 excellent and innovation examples in organic will be awarded in different 7 categories: organic farmer (female & male), organic city, organic region, organic bio-district, organic food processing SME, organic food retailer and organic restaurant/food service. Find out which individuals, companies and regions got shortlisted.
The ceremony will be livestreamed on the European Commission’s website at EU Organic Awards 2023 (europa.eu). In case you would like to watch this ceremony (perhaps as a watch party with your colleagues?), you can tune in online on Monday 25 September from 10:00-12:00.
Organic innovating sustainable food systems
On 26-28 September, the organic movement reconvenes in Córdoba, Spain for the highly awaited annual European Organic Congress. IFOAM Organics Europe and Ecovalia have prepared a captivating and timely agenda filled with plenary & breakout sessions and ample networking occasions.
During this three-day event, the organic movement and policymakers will discuss hot topics like:
- The importance of ensuring generational renewal and how it could play a role in finding new ways to integrate sustainability in businesses;
- Organic market trends in Europe and beyond; and
- Spreading organic through private and public procurement in our everyday life.
Discover the comprehensive programme. Registrations to the European Organic Congress have closed. Do you have any questions? Please contact [email protected].
Being grateful
Before finishing, allow me to briefly reflect on the past intense months on a more personal level. We have been working hard on many ongoing legislative files – like usual, the office in Brussels together in close collaboration with our members. We are used to hard work, but the past months have been special because we have had to say goodbye to a young colleague, Anna, who tragically passed away. We will commemorate her on the EU Organic Day on 23 September in the presence of her loved ones and colleagues and are working on something to keep her dedication, enthusiasm and sparkle with us.
All the best,
Eduardo