February 2024 Newsletter – Multilingual Edition
Read this Special Newsletter in BG, CZ, DA , DE, ES, EN, FR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PL, PT, RO, UA
Dear reader,
Welcome to 2024! As we usher in the new year and an EU election year, we invite you to explore our latest
special-edition newsletter, where we chart our course for the exciting road ahead.
In the face of disheartening headlines affecting global food systems, we recognize the need to reconsider food security beyond production, addressing issues like food distribution and waste. As the EU elections approach in 2024, we observe concerning trends, including a hurried pace in addressing crucial matters within EU institutions.
The legislative push for creating a legal framework for New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), a controversial topic with high stakes, such as environmental protection and citizens and food producers’ freedom of choice, is a notable example of such accelerated legislative processes endangering democracy. As this topic is crucial to the organic movement we continue to advocate for a precautionary approach and a right legal and technical framework to ensure organic and other GM-free production.
Additionally, we’re vigilant about the substantiating green claims proposal, where we emphasise that the Product Environmental Footprint methodology (PEF) is ill-suited for assessing food and farming products’ environmental impacts. Despite a win in 2023 where the Commission recognised the PEF’s limitations for agri-food products, our work on this issue persists during the co-decision process.
Amidst the challenges, the significance of unity and extending a helping hand are all the more important. In this sense, we echo the proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” This special edition serves as a roadmap for 2024’s political challenges and opportunities in the European Union.
Stay ahead of policy developments by subscribing to our newsletter or following us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Or join us at events throughout 2024, starting on 13 February for our Policy Day at BIOFACH. Other opportunities are our bi-annual Youth Event in July in Italy, our European Organic Congress in September in Hungary and our regular Brussels-based Organics Europe meets business (December) and TP Organics’ Organic Innovation Days.
I invite our members to avail of this newsletter special and its translations, offering a wealth of resources for informing regional, local and national organic actors in their own language. If you find something to translate, contact us at [email protected]. I would also like to remind our members about our organic masterclasses on narrative strategies and advocacy. All information and registration information is available on our member extranet. Email us at [email protected] if you do not have access.
Despite the challenges, we pledge to be the united voice for organic food and farming with the EU institutions, rooted in our strong belief in organic principles.
Look forward to our March newsletter. Until then, have a great start to 2024 and join us at our upcoming events.
Don’t panic, the future is organic,
Eduardo Cuoco
You are also welcome to engage with us and join our community!
- Join one of our events
- Subscribe to our newsletter, we send this six time per year
- Submit your initiative transforming food and farming
The work of IFOAM Organics Europe on this topic is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). This page only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. The CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.
Research projects IFOAM Organics Europe takes part to are funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or REA. Neither the European Union nor the granting can be held responsible for them.