The European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe launched the first-ever EU organic awards this week. These awards will recognise excellence along the organic value chain, rewarding the best and most innovative actors in organic production in the EU. Applications will be open from 25 March until 8 June 2022.
Increase public awareness
These awards are the first example of EU-wide organic awards and are conceived as a follow-up to the Action Plan for the development of organic production, adopted by the Commission on 25 March 2021. This Action Plan takes the approach that, to stimulate organic production, consumer demand for organic products should grow. This requires, amongst other things, increased public awareness of the characteristics and benefits of organic production. For this purpose, the Action Plan includes the launch of annual awards rewarding the best and most innovative organic actors, contributing to the reduction of agriculture’s impact on the environment and climate, and to the achievement of EU Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies.
Eight awards within seven categories will be given out, including best organic farmer female, best organic farmer male, best organic region, best organic city, best organic bio-district, best organic SME, best organic food retailer and best organic restaurant. There will be an award ceremony to announce the winners on the annual EU Organic Day on 23 September 2022.
The EU organic awards scheme comprises 7 categories and 8 awards
Applications to the awards will open on 25 March and run until 8 June 2022 (before 25 March, the application form will only be available for consultation). After the application period, a jury consisting of one representative from each of the different organisers and a representative of each of the European Parliament and European Council will shortlist the best candidates.
Towards more sustainable food systems
Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski said: “I am proud to see the EU organic awards become a reality. We have been working hard to ensure this follows the establishment of an annual EU organic day, now every 23 September since last year. Organic production is and will play a key role in the transition to sustainable food systems, and we cannot achieve this without the various actors of the organic supply chain. These awards are a great opportunity to celebrate them while promoting examples of best practices across the EU. I look forward to hearing about these best practices, and encourage all organic actors to apply”.
Applications will be open from 25 March until 8 June 2022
Jan Plagge, IFOAM Organics Europe’s President, reiterates that “the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies put organic farming at the heart of a transition to sustainable food systems, with a target to reach 25% organic land on average by 2030 and with the publication of an EU organic action plan.” He continues: “These EU Organic Awards are a great way to showcase the innovative potential in the EU organic sector. I am particularly happy that the winners will be announced at the annual EU Organic Day, a day that will be an ideal opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the organic action plan”.
- Further information available on the EU Commission’s website
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