IFOAM Organics Europe has welcomed yesterday’s vote by agriculture MEPs on the European Parliament’s “crucial” Organic Action Plan (OAP) report.
In the draft resolution on the OAP, adopted by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development yesterday by 45 votes to 0, MEPs called for a series of incentives and innovations to promote organic farming in the EU, including:
- Help for Member States and farmers in transition to organic agriculture
- Promotion of organic production and prevention of fraud
- Innovation in fertilisers and plant breeding
Welcoming the development, IFOAM Organics Europe’s president Jan Plagge said: “The EU Action Plan on organic farming is crucial to increase both the production and demand for organic products, and we welcome the involvement/interest of MEPs. To ensure the success of the OAP in reaching the 25% organic land target and transitioning towards more sustainable food systems, we must not forget the importance of the involvement of actors at all levels, especially EU, national, regional, and local actors. The local level is particularly relevant in the context of sustainable public procurement, a way to effectively promote a systemic food system transformation”.
Plagge added “Organic farming is part of the solution when it comes to mitigating the effects of climate change and restoring biodiversity loss. IFOAM Organics Europe appreciates the recognition of organic as a knowledge-intensive practice as well as the importance of raising awareness about organic and better diets both in schools and among consumers”.
The organic food and farming movement looks forward to the vote in the Parliament’s plenary in May, as well as to further collaboration with relevant institutions and interested stakeholders to make this EU Organic Action Plan a success in the years to come.
Photo: Organic vineyard, Emilia–Romagna, Italy. Jim Manson.
