EU-Chile: organic trade agreement to be signed

On 6 March 2017, the Council adopted a decision on the signing of an agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Chile on trade in organic products. 

According to Consilium Europe the agreement with Chile is the first of the "new generation" agreements in trade in organic products and the first bilateral recognition with a Latin American country. 

The equivalence of the respective rules and control systems regarding the organic production aims at encouraging trade in organic products, explains the press release. It aims at improving protection for the respective organic logos, and enhancing regulatory cooperation between the EU and Chile on issues related to organic production. The agreement will also provide for a system of co-operation, exchange of information and dispute settlement in organic trade. 

Picture: Demeter winery Emiliana in Chile.

The agreement will apply to EU organic products such as: unprocessed plant products, live animals or unprocessed animal products (including honey), aquaculture products and seaweeds, processed agricultural products for use as food (including wine), processed agricultural products for use as feed, vegetative propagating material and seeds for cultivation. 

On the other hand, the EU will recognise as equivalent the following products from Chile: unprocessed plant products, honey, processed agricultural products for use as food (including wine), vegetative propagating material and seeds for cultivation. 

„The organic sector is growing steadily and rapidly and is a great resource for European agriculture and the wider economy. This agreement with Chile will give a boost to EU organic production and exports, and so help generate growth and create jobs. The Council warmly welcomes it“ is explained in the release.