On Tuesday 16 December, the European Commission adopted a proposal to adjust certain provisions of Regulation 2018/848 on the production, labelling and certification of organic products in the European Union.
The proposal follows a judgment by the Court of Justice of the EU (case C-240/23), which restricted the use of the European organic logo and organic terms for products imported from third countries, even where their production systems are recognised as equivalent to those of the EU. To remedy this, the Commission is proposing to authorise the use of the EU organic logo on these products, provided that, in addition to the equivalent rules, they comply with certain additional requirements, particularly in terms of animal welfare and soil management. The aim is both to reassure consumers and to ensure fair competition between European and imported products.
Processed products and 5% threshold. Products processed in the EU containing imported organic ingredients will be able to carry the European ‘organic’ logo when these ingredients represent 5% or less of the product’s agricultural ingredients, according to the proposal. Above this threshold, the logo will continue to be possible only if the imported ingredients comply with additional production and control requirements in line with EU rules.
This clarification is intended to avoid any confusion for consumers.
EU operators producing organic food and feed use ingredients imported from third countries whose organic production and control systems have been recognised as equivalent to those in the EU.
Equivalences extended to 2036. Furthermore, recognition of these third countries was due to expire on 31 December 2026. However, technical exchanges with a view to concluding agreements on trade in organic products are still underway. The Commission therefore considers it urgently necessary to extend this recognition until 31 December 2036 in order to avoid any disruption to trade in organic products.
Administrative simplification. Small producers will benefit from: - an exemption from certification for direct sales of non-pre-packaged products (threshold raised to 10,000 kg per year); - the abolition of turnover requirements for groups of operators; - an increase in the maximum eligible area per member (up to 30 hectares for permanent grassland).
The Commission has decided not to draw up restrictive lists of cleaning and disinfection products authorised for use in organic farming. Operators will be able to use products available on the market, subject to compliance with best practice.
Organic farming. Specific adjustments have been introduced for poultry farming: - for quail, the conversion period has been reduced to five weeks (previously ten) and the minimum age for slaughter has been set at 42 days; - access to the outdoors will have to be guaranteed as soon as the birds are sufficiently feathered - and no longer as soon as possible - in order to better reconcile animal welfare and safety; - the maximum surface area of 1,600 square metres will now apply per building rather than per production unit.
Veterinary rules. Withdrawal times after veterinary treatment will be aligned between terrestrial animals and aquaculture: the withdrawal period will be doubled compared with the normal period, with a minimum of 48 hours.
These measures should generate annual administrative savings of €47.8 million, including €45.9 million for businesses. The proportion of farmland cultivated organically has now reached 11% in the European Union.
The proposal (https://aeur.eu/f/k1g ) will be examined by Parliament and the Council. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)