Organic regulation debate with Martin Häusling

Martin Häusling (picture), member of the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee of the European Parliament (European Green Party), has recently been appointed rapporteur for the legislative proposal for a new organic regulation, IFOAM EU reports. Together with IFOAM EU, he organised a debate on the Commission proposal on 22 September at the representation of the German state Hessen to the EU in Brussels.
 

Jan Plagge, IFOAM EU Board Member, stressed that the Commission proposal in its current form is not sufficient to achieve the initial aims of removing obstacles, ensuring fair competition and maintaining consumer confidence – aims shared by the Commission and IFOAM EU. For example, the establishment of a specific decertification threshold for organic producers and the removal of most of the exceptional rules would represent a real obstacle to the development of organic production in Europe and likely lead to a serious decrease in produce available. Representatives from the European Institutions also joined the discussion, including Joao Onofre, Head of the Organics Unit at DG Agri. More information is available from IFOAM EU.