New Regulation to Boost Europe's Organic Food Sector

A new set of rules on organic production and labeling was recently laid down by European Union agriculture ministers, which aims to help consumers recognize organic products throughout the EU more easily. The new rules also create the basis for adding rules on organic aquaculture, wine, seaweed and yeasts.

Under the new regulation, the use of the EU organic logo will be mandatory, but it can be accompanied by national or private logos. The place where the products were farmed has to be indicated to inform consumers. Food will only be able to carry an organic logo if at least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic. The use of genetically modified organisms will remain prohibited. The general limit of 0.9 percent for the accidental presence of authorized GMOs will also apply to organic products. There will be no changes in the list of authorized substances for organic farming.

Read the press release at http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/807&format=HTML&aged=0
&language=EN&guiLanguage=en.