Brussels, 31/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Spain requesting it to change certain rules and commercial practices concerning organic farming. Products that do not come from organic farming are marketed in Spain using the term "bio", which is not in conformity with EU rules on organic farming. In July 2001, the Commission had served a letter of formal notice on the Spanish government in order to point out that two decrees were in breach of the Regulation on organic production of agricultural products and the Directive on the approximation of laws relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs. A decree by the Autonomous Community of Navarre authorises the use of the term "bio" for dairy products for which the use of this term is customary and continuous. Furthermore, a royal decree clearly states in its preamble that the use of the term "bio" is authorised to designate products not deriving from organic farming. The Spanish authorities have replied to the Commission's letter of formal notice. They maintain that the legislation and the commercial practices in question do not contravene EU legislation. Madrid now has two months in which to give the Commission a satisfactory response, failing which the latter may take the matter before the Court of Justice.