EU wants to ban organic and conventional production on the same farm.

THIS IS INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL FOR A REGULATION ON ORGANIC PRODUCTION AND LABELING THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESENTED LAST MARCH.

The Coordinator of organizations of farmers and ranchers (COAG) reveals that the European Union intends to prohibit the coexistence of organic and conventional production on the same farm.

COAG considers that it is a very ambitious proposal that must be widely debated., since an important part of the proposed measures could represent a brake on the development of organic agriculture and livestock..

COAG is based on the fact that in Spain more than 50% of the farms are mixed regime. So far, when there is no specific variety of organic seed, You can use a conventional one as long as it has not been treated with products prohibited by community ecological regulations..

According to COAG, the proposed Regulation does not defend local and traditional seed varieties against patents promoted by multinational companies.. There is a real danger of contamination by GMOs in public seed banks in the absence of safety protocols.

In addition, The proposed Regulation does not advance in the implementation of direct sales and short channels for organic products, one of the strategic lines to boost consumption.

In this sense, The adaptation of hygienic-sanitary regulations is vital to facilitate the artisanal transformation of organic products on farms.. “We are talking about foods of a special uniqueness, with difficult reception in the channels aimed at supermarkets and establishments with a standardized assortment, that in the coming years will experience an increase in demand. Spain will grow steadily in this type of consumption a 12,5% annually until 2020”, declared José Manuel Benítez, responsible for the Organic Agriculture Area of ​​COAG.

As positive aspects, it is worth highlighting the possibility of group certification, a historic COAG lawsuit- which could reduce costs. “It can be an alternative and facilitate the entry of small producers”, Benítez pointed out.

In this matter, There is a deep concern regarding the control and certification of organic production. COAG has always defended a public control and certification model that is homogeneous throughout the state territory..

Thanks to the pressure exerted by this organization, The European Parliament has voted in favor of the certification costs not falling on the producers and the certification being public and free. At the state level, COAG considers it necessary to harmonize control criteria for all Autonomous Communities..

The general principles of this Regulation should include the social and labor aspects that are implicit in organic production.. The principles should be based on a socially based ecological agriculture model that fixes the population in rural areas., conserve natural resources and value local resources. The inclusion of certain products would also be necessary, such as propolis, wild fruits and mushrooms.