Press Release: Organic food: new Regulation will improve clarity for consumers and farmers

The European Commission adopted on 21 December 2005 a proposal for a new regulation on organic production, which aims to improve clarity for both consumers and farmers. The new rules will be simpler, and will allow a certain amount of flexibility to take account of regional differences in climate and conditions. Producers of organic food will be able to choose whether or not to use the EU organic logo. If they choose not to, their products must be labelled EU-organic. At least 95 percent of the final product will have to be organic to be labelled as such. Products containing GMOs will not be able to be labelled as organic, except those containing up to 0.9 percent of GMO content through accidental contamination. Imports of organic products would be allowed, as long as they comply with EU standards or come with equivalent guarantees from the country of origin.

Friends of the Earth Europe: Press Release, 22.12.05: European Commission allows genetic contamination of organic farming http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2005/HH_22_Dec_contamination.htm

---