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What does the Commission proposal foresee? |
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In producing its proposals for a revision of the organic regulation, the Commission has gone for wholesale change. It is a completely new regulation with different structure, wording and, in some cases, content. Much of it reflects the actions in the organic action plan, but some elements are not identified there. The main components are noted below.
- It starts with objectives and principles, though it is not clear if some of these are objectives and principles of the regulation, rather than of organic agriculture.
- The scope specifically embraces aquaculture and wine, though excludes other products of organic farming, such as textiles.
- Parts of the production-related annexes are now in the main regulation as production rules. The remainder, and other aspects not covered, will be in separate “implementing rules” to be developed by the Commission after this framework regulation has been completed.
- The ‘made with’ labelling category (for 70-95% organic ingredients) will go.
- Either the EU logo, or a stylised indication ‘EU-ORGANIC’ must be used, in addition to the certifier code.
- There is a specific mechanism for flexibility, to deal with the existing derogations and other means of progressive development, and the EU Group’s call for ‘regional variation’. Each allowance of flexibility will be decided at Commission level but the decision criteria are not included.
- The exclusion of GMOs is clarified, rather than changed, but these do appear to have very significant implications. Also, the issue of liability in case of GMO contamination is not covered.
- The EU’s official food and feed control system (regulation 882/2004) now applies to organic certification and control.
- The existing (temporary) rules for imports are replaced by permanent and more consistent procedures.
- There are significant restrictions on the operation of private inspection and certification bodies. These include how they can advertise their differences and how they can control their own marks of conformity.
- The way the regulation itself will be controlled changes, giving more power to the Commission away from the Member States.
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