Dear reader,
Welcome to 2024! As we usher in the new year and an EU election year, we invite you to explore our latest
special-edition newsletter, where we chart our course for the exciting road ahead.
In the face of disheartening headlines affecting global food systems, we recognize the need to reconsider food security beyond production, addressing issues like food distribution and waste. As the
EU elections approach in 2024, we observe concerning trends, including a hurried pace in addressing crucial matters within EU institutions.
The legislative push for creating a legal framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), a controversial topic with high stakes, such as environmental protection and citizens and
food producers’ freedom of choice, is a notable example of such accelerated legislative processes endangering democracy. As this topic is crucial to the organic movement we continue to advocate for
a precautionary approach and a right legal and technical framework to ensure organic and other GM-free production.
Additionally, we’re vigilant about the substantiating green claims proposal, where we emphasise that the Product Environmental Footprint methodology (PEF) is ill-suited for
assessing food and farming products’ environmental impacts. Despite a win in 2023 where the Commission recognised the PEF’s limitations for agri-food products, our work on this issue persists
during the co-decision process.
Amidst the challenges, the significance of unity and extending a helping hand are all the more important. In this sense, we echo the proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you
want to go far, go together.” This special edition serves as a roadmap for 2024’s political challenges and opportunities in the European Union.
Stay ahead of policy developments by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Or join us at events throughout 2024, starting on 13 February for our Policy Day
at BIOFACH. Other opportunities are our bi-annual Youth Event in July in Italy, our European Organic Congress in September in Hungary and our regular Brussels-based Organics Europe meets business (December) and TP Organics’ Organic Innovation Days.
I invite our members to avail of this newsletter special and its translations, offering a wealth of resources for informing regional, local and national organic actors in their own language. If you find something to translate, contact us at communication@organicseurope.bio. I would also like to remind our members about our organic masterclasses on narrative strategies and advocacy. All information and registration information is available on our member extranet. Email us at membership@organicseurope.bio if you do not have access.
Despite the challenges, we pledge to be the united voice for organic food and farming with the EU institutions, rooted in our strong belief in organic principles.
Look forward to our March newsletter. Until then, have a great start to 2024 and join us at our upcoming events.
Don’t panic, the future is organic,
Eduardo Cuoco
IFOAM Organics Europe
IFOAM Organics Europe
Rue Marie Thérèse 11
1000 Brussels
Belgium
+32 2 280 12 23
info@organicseurope.bio
