Long-term IFOAM EU Director Marco Schlüter officially stepped down on Friday, April 8. Eduardo Cuoco who was responsible for Technology Research Platform for organic food and farming TPOrganics was appointed to be the new director. The farewell took place during the general assembly of IFOAM EU in Amsterdam on Monday April 4.
IFOAM EU President Christopher Stopes said at the general assembly in Amsterdam: “I have had the honour of working with Marco Schlüter for the last 7 years. In his time as director, Marco has truly built the organisation: from being the only staff member in 2003 to a powerful advocacy organisation and the voice for the organic movement in the EU. On behalf of the entire board and membership, we would like to thank Marco for his tireless work and dedication, and congratulate him on his achievements.”
Outgoing IFOAM EU Director Marco Schlüter said: “It was my great honour to serve the organic movement and sector to make its voice heard in Brussels and to bring our messages to policy makers at highest level. After thirteen years at IFOAM EU, it is now time for me to move on to new challenges. I would like to thank all those who have generously devoted their time and energy to making IFOAM EU what it is today: the current and former board, council, and staff members and our great membership. I am very confident in the future development of the organisation under its new board and director Eduardo Cuoco.”
Christopher Stopes continued: “Eduardo Cuoco has been with the organic movement for 18 years and has vast experience with farming, certification and business, not to mention a deep understanding of the food industry and EU policy. He has led the development of the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming, TPOrganics, from its infancy to an important player on the research and innovation scene. Eduardo is the right person for the job and on behalf of IFOAM EU, we are very happy to welcome him as the new IFOAM EU director.”
The new IFOAM EU Director, Eduardo Cuoco, commented: “Organic is who I am and leading the EU representation for organic food & farming is an extraordinary opportunity. It will not be easy to follow in Marco’s footsteps but I look forward to the future and I am confident in the IFOAM EU team, their dedication and skills. I would like to thank the board for their confidence in me.”
The new IFOAM EU Board was elected at the general assembly, with 28 countries and more than 110 members represented. They had the opportunity to elect nine board members from a candidate list of 18 highly qualified and diverse organic stakeholders.
The members of the new board are:
President: Christopher Stopes, EcoS Consultancy, United Kingdom
Vice President for Regulation: Sabine Eigenschink, Austria Bio Garantie, Austria
Vice President for Policy: Jan Plagge, Bioland, Germany
Treasurer: Bavo van den Idsert, Bionext, the Netherlands
Évelyne Alcázar Marín, Ecovalia, Spain
Sylvie Dulong, Fédération Nationale d’Agriculture Biologique, France
Thomas Fertl, BioAustria, Austria
Sybille Kyed, Organic Denmark, Denmark
Jiri Lehejcek, Czech Technology Platform for Organic Agriculture, Czech Republic
Picture from left to right: Jiri Lehejcek, Évelyne Alcázar Marín, Sybille Kyed, Vice President for Regulation: Sabine Eigenschink, President: Christopher Stopes, Treasurer: Bavo van den Idsert, Vice President for Policy: Jan Plagge, Thomas Fertl, Sylvie Dulong.
8.th IFOAM EU General Assembly
Source: Organic-Market.Info – Karin Heinze
