The European Commission adopted Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production, which aims to improve clarity for both consumers and farmers. The new rules are simpler, and will allow a certain amount of flexibility to take account of regional differences in climate and conditions. Producers of organic food will be able to choose whether or not to use the EU organic logo. If they choose not to, their products must be labelled EU-organic.
In order to have organic labelled, at least 95 percent of the final product must be organic. Products containing GMOs will not be able to be labelled as organic, except those containing up to 0.9 percent of GMO content through accidental contamination. Imports of organic products would be allowed, as long as they comply with EU standards or come with equivalent guarantees from the country of origin. There will be no changes in the list of authorised substances for organic farming. The new rules also create the basis for adding rules on organic aquaculture, wine, seaweed and yeasts. The existing strict detailed rules will be transferred from the old to the new Regulation. The new regulation is applied from 1 January 2009.
For more information about EU regulations on organic farming
Useful links
