Brussels, 14/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - In a press statement published on Friday, the Committee of Agricultural Organisations in the European Union (Copa) and the General Confederation of Agricultural Co-operatives in the EU welcomed the action plan for organic food and farming, presented on Thursday by the European Commission (EUROPE yesterday p 16). Copa and Cogeca, however, " regret that the inter-branch organisation of the organic production sectors is not encouraged. Yet this is indispensable to reduce costs and to offer products to consumers at attractive prices, while providing a fair return to producers".
The farming organisations welcomed the following actions: the Community awareness campaign to promote knowledge among consumers about the European logo (which should be developed along with other national or regional logos); the use of the various rural development measures to support organic farming (support policies could perhaps be adapted to regional level but should not lead to distortions of competition between European organic farmers, warn Copa and Cogeca; the strengthening of Community standards and demands involving imports and exports. Copa and Cogeca welcome the Commission's initiative to improve recognition by third countries of EU inspection standards, which will allow for the European Union to develop its exports.