The European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development has endorsed a proposal to tighten the conditions that imported organic products from third countries must meet to use the European Union’s organic logo. The initiative aims to strengthen consumer confidence and ensure a level playing field between European producers and non-EU operators.
According to Europa Press, the proposal was approved by 37 votes in favor, four against, and eight abstentions. It stipulates that imports must not only demonstrate equivalence with EU regulations but also meet additional production and control requirements to be able to use the European organic label.
Among the main changes is a limit of 5% on the percentage of organic ingredients of non-EU origin in processed foods manufactured in the European Union that wish to be marketed with the EU organic label. The regulatory review responds to a proposal from the European Commission following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union on the use of this label by products from third countries.
The European Parliament has thus established its position to begin negotiations with the Council of the European Union with the aim of approving the final version of the reform before the current transitional regime applicable to these imports expires.
The proposal also includes a relaxation of the certification process for small operators who market unpackaged organic products directly to consumers, raising the turnover and sales volume thresholds required to qualify for this exemption. According to the European Parliament, the measure aims to prevent the price increases seen in recent years from harming small producers.
For ANAFRIC, any progress aimed at strengthening transparency, traceability, and the application of uniform criteria for all products entering the European market contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the agri-food sector and consumer confidence, ensuring that the same requirements are applied to both European and imported products.
