The International organic body, IFOAM – Organics International, has issued a position statement on regenerative agriculture in which it pledges to continue to engage with serious regenerative partners but warns that it will “call out regen greenwashing and counter misleading ‘regenerative’ policy agendas”.

The statement – “Elevating Truly Regenerative Agriculture – Statement from the Organic Movement” – was approved at the organisation’s International General Assembly in December (2024). 

IFOAM – Organics International says the organic movement welcomes the focus on regenerative principles and practices, which it points out are at the heart of organic agriculture. 

In an accompanying release, IFOAM – Organics International says: 

“In short, the organic movement welcomes the focus on regenerative principles and practices, as these are at the heart of organic agriculture. Serious regenerative actors are seen as natural allies, sustaining inspiration to continuously improve organic practices and ensure that organic standards, certification, practices and policy are the best guarantee of regenerative approaches and outcomes. The organic movement rededicates itself to communicate with heart about the organic movement’s aspirations and our call-to-action for nature, climate, social justice and healthy food from healthy soils.

“At the same time, the organic movement is alarmed by the widespread, misleading use of “regenerative” in corporate branding and certifications, where highly degenerative practices like use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers is common. A diffuse, incrementalist concept of regenerative agriculture is also being used to divert attention, resources and policy from truly transformative solutions from the organic, regenerative and agroecology movements.

“‘Regenerative’ is now used so loosely and with such wildly varying definitions, that it cannot provide a solid basis for policy or credible, well-defined consumer claims. Together with the agroecology movement, consumer organisations and serious regenerative actors, we will call out regen greenwashing and counter misleading “regenerative” policy agendas.

The organic movement will continue to engage with serious regenerative partners on knowledge sharing and policies that can motivate and support transition at the farm and community level. Together, organic, agroecological and serious regenerative movements are the alternative to degenerative agricultural systems. Let’s drive change together.”