On 17 December 2025 the European Commission has unveiled a comprehensive package of measures designed to modernise the EU’s organic farming sector, positioning it for enhanced competitiveness whilst maintaining the world’s most stringent production standards. The announcement introduces targeted regulatory amendments and a detailed roadmap aimed at reducing administrative complexity for farmers and operators across the 27 Member States.
Organic farming has emerged as a cornerstone of the European Union’s agricultural policy, contributing significantly to the bloc’s resilience, strategic autonomy, and territorial cohesion. The sector currently encompasses approximately 17 million hectares – representing 11% of total agricultural land in the EU – and supports more than 381,000 organic farmers, marking a 30% increase since 2018.
The economic impact is substantial. Despite temporary stagnation in some Member States following inflationary pressures in 2021, retail sales of organic products reached over €45 billion, more than doubling over the past decade. This growth reflects increasing consumer confidence in the EU organic logo, which boasts a 56% awareness rate amongst European consumers – the highest recognition for any food quality label in the region.
Targeted regulatory amendments: balancing standards and practicality
The Commission’s proposal centres on targeted amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/848, commonly referred to as the ‘Organic Regulation’. These modifications address three critical objectives, as outlined below.
Clarifying import equivalence rules
Following the Herbaria II Court case (Case C-240/23), the amendments provide clarity regarding organic product imports under the equivalence regime. The new framework ensures consumers can make informed purchasing decisions while guaranteeing fair competition within the internal market between products fully complying with Union production rules and those meeting equivalent standards.
Extending equivalence recognition
To prevent disruptions in international trade, from which the EU organic sector derives significant benefits, the proposal extends equivalence recognitions with 11 third countries beyond the original deadline of 31 December 2026. This measure provides stability for established trade relationships whilst protecting the integrity of the EU organic certification system.
Reducing regulatory complexity
Building upon extensive consultations with stakeholders, the amendments streamline the current regulatory framework to enhance the competitiveness of EU organic production. The Commission estimates these adjustments will generate annual direct administrative cost savings totalling €47.8 million, comprising €45.9 million for farmers and operators, and €1.9 million for public administrations.
Additionally, farmers and operators may benefit from direct one-off adjustment cost savings of €109.2 million and annual direct adjustment cost savings of €90.2 million. These savings represent a significant reduction in operational burden whilst maintaining the sector’s hallmark high standards.
Comprehensive roadmap for secondary legislation reform
Beyond the basic regulation, the Commission has published an ambitious roadmap detailing specific actions to review organic secondary legislation. This comprehensive approach addresses pragmatic concerns raised by organic farmers, operators, and public authorities.
Key initiatives for farmers and operators
The roadmap includes several concrete measures designed to facilitate organic farming operations, as outlined below.
Product and input simplification:
- permitting hydrolates to be marketed as organic products;
- simplifying criteria for cleaners and disinfectants used in plant, animal, and aquaculture production;
- updating biocide lists for agricultural applications.
Livestock management flexibility. Subject to advice from the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP), the Commission will review:
- stocking density requirements and outdoor area specifications for poultry;
- outdoor area requirements for pigs;
- exceptional conditions regarding pasture access.
Feed and nutrition:
- eliminating the requirement for prior authorisation by competent authorities when using non-organic vitamins and provitamins in feed;
- publishing reports on the availability of organic protein feed and considering extension of authorisations for non-organic protein feed for piglets and young poultry.
Plant reproductive material. The Commission will assess the availability and use of organic and in-conversion plant reproductive material (PRM), with a view to promoting its production, distribution, and utilisation amongst organic farmers.
Administrative burden reduction
For public authorities and control bodies, the roadmap includes measures to:
- allow correction of Certificates of Inspection post-issuance when product integrity remains intact;
- improve the functionality of the Organic Farming Information System (OFIS) and enhance interoperability with TRACES;
- streamline data collection requirements;
- strengthen control and audit systems to reinforce certification integrity.
Enhanced guidance and implementation support
The Commission commits to improving interpretation consistency and readability across the organic regulatory framework. This includes comprehensive reviews of:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), particularly regarding livestock conversion and exceptional conditions;
- product category classifications and CN code specifications;
- guidance on organic ingredients naturally rich in micronutrients.
A stocktaking exercise will evaluate progress after 18 months, with the roadmap remaining open to additional topics requiring clarification or adjustment, including potential actions on organic aquaculture and fertilisation requirements for organic greenhouses.
Revitalising the EU Organic Action Plan
The current EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, covering 2021-2026, comprises three axes and 51 actions focused on stimulating demand, increasing supply, and enhancing sustainability. Member States have been prompted to develop complementary national organic farming strategies.
The 2026 update
In 2026, the Commission will launch a consultation process to update the Action Plan, taking into account:
- the economic context of the organic sector;
- alignment with the proposed architecture for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for 2028-2034;
- integration with the Bioeconomy Strategy and upcoming Livestock Strategy;
- opportunities for strengthening links with innovation and digitalisation.
Public procurement and market access
The upcoming revision of the Public Procurement Directive will examine how procurement can support sustainability objectives and EU preference while respecting single market rules. Organic farming stands to benefit significantly, being recognised as a qualifying criterion for Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP). This development will enhance the role of organic products in school canteens, hospitals, and other public institutions.
The updated Action Plan will also explore possibilities for enhancing access to promotional schemes for organic products in EU and overseas markets, addressing structural bottlenecks in organic value chains to facilitate balanced sector growth.
Continued support through the Common Agricultural Policy
The current CAP provides substantial backing for organic agriculture. Under CAP Strategic Plans, approximately €19 billion is allocated to support organic farming across the EU. On average, each organic hectare receives specific EU support of €148, supplementing other forms of income support.
CAP simplification and green recognition
The 2025 CAP simplification agreement between the European Parliament and the Council recognises organic farmers as ‘green by definition’, deeming them compliant by default with certain Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, in addition to GAEC 7). This designation significantly reduces the administrative burden associated with environmental compliance verification.
Future CAP framework (2028-2034)
The Commission’s proposal for the future CAP designates organic farming as one of six environment and climate priority areas requiring Member State support. Key features include:
- introduction of transition payments to cover conversion costs to sustainable agroecological models;
- opportunities for strategic investments in processing infrastructure, logistics, and digitalisation;
- enhanced training and advisory services tailored to the organic sector;
- Support for value-chain organisation and market transparency.
Research, innovation, and promotion
The EU maintains robust support for organic sector development through multiple channels:
- research and innovation. Between 2021 and 2025, Cluster 6 of Horizon Europe deployed €670 million for research and innovation topics relevant to organic farming, addressing key sectoral challenges and promoting technological advancement;
- promotion programmes. A total of €185 million has been earmarked since 2021 for the promotion of organic products both within the EU and in non-EU countries, enhancing market visibility and consumer awareness;
- EU School Scheme. Under the Commission’s July 2025 proposal for the future EU School Scheme, organic products feature amongst the criteria Member States must use to prioritise product distribution in educational establishments, fostering early consumer engagement with sustainable food choices.
Economic, environmental, and social benefits
The multifaceted benefits of organic farming extend across economic, environmental, and social dimensions:
- environmental credentials include the responsible use of energy and natural resources, the preservation of regional ecological balances, the enhancement of soil fertility, the maintenance of water quality, the protection of rich biodiversity, and high animal welfare standards;
- economic impact encompasses support for quality employment in rural areas, the fostering of small and medium-sized enterprises, value retention through local processing and short marketing circuits, and innovative territorial approaches such as organic bio-districts;
- organic farming has become a significant driver for generational renewal in agriculture. The organic share amongst young farmers stands at 20.7% – substantially higher than the 11.9% average across all farms combined. This trend creates new opportunities for agricultural succession and rural vitality.
Strategic autonomy and competitiveness
In the context of the Commission’s broader agenda for competitiveness and Europe’s open strategic autonomy, organic production contributes to:
- reducing dependencies on external inputs;
- strengthening resilient territorial supply chains;
- enhancing the EU’s capacity to ensure robust and sustainable agri-food systems;
- creating new market opportunities for farmers;
- supporting balanced territorial development across the Union.
IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes reform package
IFOAM Organics Europe, the EU umbrella organisation for organic food and farming, has responded positively to the Commission’s comprehensive reform package. The organisation particularly welcomed the recognition that organic farming delivers extensive socio-economic and environmental benefits, plays a crucial role in making rural areas more attractive and dynamic, and represents a strategic asset for the EU’s resilience and strategic autonomy.
Eduardo Cuoco, Director of IFOAM Organics Europe, acknowledged the complexity of defining organic farming practices across 27 Member States with diverse territorial conditions. He emphasised the organic movement’s support for aligning the organic regulation with ground realities without compromising fundamental principles or lowering standards, stating the reforms focus on ensuring sustainable agronomic, processing, and retail practices can be effectively implemented and adopted by more farmers and operators.
Jan Plagge, President of IFOAM Organics Europe, praised the Commission’s balanced approach to improving the organic regulation while addressing specific legal issues. He called upon the European Parliament and Member States to act swiftly to conclude the targeted revision within months, providing the stability and legal certainty essential for all organic operators.
Plagge highlighted the importance of the roadmap, noting that addressing implementation challenges primarily through secondary legislation and updated interpretations represents the most effective approach to keeping the basic act revision focused and efficient. The organisation particularly welcomes the Commission’s commitment to systematically review existing interpretations, guidelines, and FAQs, whilst acknowledging the roadmap’s non-exhaustive nature allows for further adjustments as necessary.
Looking forward, IFOAM Organics Europe stressed the critical importance of continued recognition and support for organic farming as a priority under the future Multiannual Financial Framework, building upon the achievements of the EU Organic Action Plan. This stakeholder engagement reflects the collaborative approach underpinning the reform process, ensuring that regulatory adjustments respond to practical needs while maintaining the sector’s integrity and ambition.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s comprehensive package of measures represents a strategic recalibration of the EU organic farming framework, designed to reduce complexity without compromising the stringent standards that define European organic production. By addressing practical challenges identified by farmers, operators, and public authorities, while maintaining strong support through the CAP and related programmes, the EU positions its organic sector for sustained growth and enhanced competitiveness.
The 17 million hectares currently under organic production, the €45 billion retail market, and the 381,000 organic farmers across the Union demonstrate the sector’s significant economic weight and growth potential. With these targeted regulatory reforms, enhanced support mechanisms, and a commitment to continuous improvement, European organic farming is well-positioned to deliver on its promise of sustainability, innovation, and territorial cohesion – serving as a model for sustainable agricultural systems worldwide while supporting farmer livelihoods and rural communities across the continent.
Dario Dongo
Photo by Being Organic in EU on Unsplash
References
- European Commission, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development. (2025, December 17). Organic rulebook fit for the future. https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/organic-rulebook-fit-future-2025-12-17_en
- Herbaria Kräuterparadies GmbH v Freistaat Bayern, Case C-240/23, ECLI:EU:C:2024:852 (Court of Justice of the European Union Oct. 4, 2024). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:62023CJ0240
- IFOAM Organics Europe. (2025, December 17). IFOAM Organics Europe welcomes the EU Roadmap and proposal on the organic regulation. https://www.organicseurope.bio/news/ifoam-organics-europe-welcomes-the-eu-roadmap/
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.








