Criticism about US and EU organic equivalence treaty

Compassion in World Farming is concerned and disappointed to learn that the EU has recognised the USA National Organic Programme as equivalent to its own. As it stands, the USA organic standards on animal welfare are far lower than the EU standards, Compassion in World Farming reports. An EU publication states: “Although there are small differences between US and EU organic standards, both parties individually determined that their programs were equivalent except for the prohibition on the use of antibiotics.”
 

This is not the case, according to Compassion in World Farming. Not only would the USA standards in some cases be considered non-organic in the EU, but some elements might even be deemed illegal on animal welfare grounds. USA standards lack detailed welfare provision. Bathing water is not required for ducks, routine mutilations are not prohibited and stocking density is not specified for any species in the USA.
 

In addition to the huge animal welfare concerns, there is the risk that the agreement will under-cut EU organic farmers in their home market. If the EU recognises a set of animal welfare standards as being equivalent to those of the EU, when they are much lower, it makes EU farmers vulnerable to being undermined by these products and indeed their prices, the charity reports. Philip Lymbery, CEO at Compassion in World Farming states: “I am questioning the EU’s judgment as this new agreement is also terribly misleading to consumers. Consumers buy organic animal produce safe in the knowledge that the welfare has been of a high standard."

Compassion in World Farming