IFOAM Organics Europe has made a strong appeal to the European Commission, introducing a variety of recommendations aimed at shaping the future of agriculture and food policies in the EU. With these proposals, the organization hopes to align EU strategies with insights from vital dialogues designed to enhance sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness within the European agri-food sector. The organization particularly champions the prioritization of organic farming, which is recognized as the sole legally sanctioned framework for achieving sustainability.
Recommendations for the Common Agricultural Policy
Jan Plagge, the President of IFOAM Organics Europe, points out that the strategic dialogue conveys essential recommendations for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). He advocates for moving away from the traditional hectare-based subsidy approach and emphasizes that empowering farmers throughout the supply chain is crucial. Plagge further highlights how sustainable public procurement could significantly contribute to this necessary transformation. Implementing these suggestions offers the European Union a chance to create a more just agri-food system that benefits all participants. He views this as a critical juncture for the EU, an opportunity to reinforce its commitment to fostering environmental, social, and economic progress in agriculture.
Amplifying Organic Farming and Sustainable Practices
The recommendations from IFOAM Organics Europe specifically aim to amplify organic farming and sustainable practices. They call for fair remuneration for farmers who provide essential ecosystem services and propose a robust benchmarking system to evaluate agricultural practices from a holistic farm perspective. Notably, the organization insists that the innovative practices derived from organic farming—like minimizing the use of synthetic inputs—should be available for conventional farmers as well, offering them a pathway to improve their agricultural methods.
Collaboration with EU Policymakers
Looking to the future, IFOAM Organics Europe is eager to collaborate with EU policymakers to bring to life a shared vision for a sustainable, resilient, and competitive agri-food framework across Europe. By working together, they aspire to make meaningful strides towards achieving these goals.
Source: Bioecoactual