IFOAM EU Group: 8th European Congress

The 8th IFOAM EU Group's European Organic Congress will take place in Bari, Italy, from 10 - 12 September 2014. Implementing innovative ecological solutions for farmers and rural communities will be in the focus of the congress.

Member states and regions will launch the Rural Development Programmes of the new EU Common Agricultural Policy in 2015. What will the impact on farmers and rural communities throughout Europe be? How can the new programmes stimulate greater delivery of public goods and green job creation? The European Innovation Partnership for Agriculture (EIP-AGRI) aims to bring rural development, farming and research together. It presents many opportunities and can be used to put eco-functional intensification at the heart of the EU productivity and sustainability objectives. How will this new policy instrument be implemented? How can organic and agroecological approaches contribute to its development? The new rural development regulation offers the potential for greater recognition for organic farming, yet the sector faces the prospect of considerable regulatory changes in the coming years. How can the new organic regulation help make Europe more organic and drive innovation for sustainable food production?

Participants will be able to share their view and learn about experiences from all over Europe and beyond. The preliminary programme for the congress is available now. An excursion will take place to Altamura after the congress on 12 September. Registration is open and an early bird discount is available until 20 May 2014. Further information can be obtained from http://organic-congress-ifoameu.org/en/