European Union, Organic agriculture: See Organics, European Union.

The organic product label indicates that the product has been grown within sustainable cultivation systems. Foods may only be marked as “organic” if at least 95% of their agricultural ingredients are organic. Organic ingredients in non-organic food may be listed as organic in the list of ingredients, as long as this food has been produced in accordance with the organic legislation. In order to ensure better transparency, the code number of the control body must be indicated.

The requlations of January 2009 brought greater emphasis on environmental protection, biodiversity and high standards of animal protection.

Organic production respects natural systems and cycles. Sustainable production should be achieved insofar as possible with the help of biological and mechanical production processes, through land-related production and without the use genetically modified organisms (GMO).In organic farming, closed cycles with the use of the internal resources are preferred to open cycles with the supply of external resources. Ideally, external resources should be limited to organic resources from other organic farms, natural or naturally obtained materials and low soluble mineral fertilisers. In exceptional cases, however, chemical synthetic resources may be permitted if suitable alternatives are lacking. These are only authorised and listed in positive lists in the Annex of the Commission Regulation after a thorough investigation by the Commission and the Member States.

By 2030, 25% of EU farmland will be farmed organically, with the help of the EU farm to fork strategy.

In 2009, organic area in the EU-27 was 8.6 million hectares – 4.7% of the total utilised agricultural area. The share is over 10% in Austria, Sweden, Lithuania and the Czech Republic. Figures for 2008, show that there were 190,700 organic holdings – roughly 1.5% of all holdings. Source: Source: EU MEMO/12/81 MEMO on Organic Wine rules – Frequently Asked Questions Brussels, 8 February 2012.

The EU organic area increased by 70 % in the last ten years. 7% of the EU’s organic farmland is organic. Almost 250,000 organic farms in the EU in2016. Organic farms are on average twice as big as conventional farms. In 2017, the global organic food and drink market reached EUR 92 billion. The US accounts for 47 % of the global market, followed by the EU, with 37 % (EUR 34.3 billion). Over the last ten years, the EU market doubled its size and it continues growing at a significant pace (11 % in 2017 compared to 2016), indicating that it has not yet reached its maturity stage. Source: Organic farming in the EU, A fast growing sector (EU Agricultural Markets Briefs), March 2019, p.8.

Markets: The penetration of organic food products varies significantly between countries. The largest EU markets for organic are Germany, with 10 billion EUR (5.1 % organic in total retail sales), and France, with 7.9 billion EUR (4.4 %). The French organic retail market is a good example of a country where organic has overcome its introduction stage and has now earned its place. Consumers have become more environmentally aware and organic sales increase significantly (18 % in 2017). Source: Organic farming in the EU, A fast growing sector (EU Agricultural Markets Briefs), March 2019, p.8.

Subsidies: The EU recognizes the role of organic farming as an asset for both the land and for consumers. Under the Common Agricultural Policy – CAP for the period 2014-2020, organic farmers can benefit from several support measures. Overall, organic farmers receive more subsidies under agri-environment and animal welfare subsidies than conventional growers, in particular support for maintenance and conversion to organic farming. In 2016, 56 % of EU organic land was granted this support, receiving on average EUR 139/ha of CAP support and EUR 75/ha national co-financing. They also receive higher support under the Areas with Natural Constraints (ANC, Less Favoured Areas (LFA) under the 2007-2013 CAP), which encourages agriculture in areas with natural handicaps. Further Rural Development measures also support the development of organic production including investments in organic farming practices and aid for marketing and promotion of organic products. Organic farmers receive therefore higher subsidies under Rural Development than their conventional counterparts do. Source: Organic farming in the EU, A fast growing sector (EU Agricultural Markets Briefs), March 2019, p.11-12.

In addition, organic producers qualify under the requirements for greening payments. Organic farming is further recognised under the legislative proposals for the CAP beyond 2020 and it complies with several of its objectives, including environmental care, contributing to preserving landscapes and biodiversity and responding to societal demands on food health, sustainable food and animal welfare. Source: Organic farming in the EU, A fast growing sector (EU Agricultural Markets Briefs), March 2019, p.8.