Media release

European Organic Congress – on the eve of decision on the future of organic farming

Photo: Andrejs Jaudzems
09 June 2015

On 11-12 June, during the Latvian Presidency of EU Council, the 9th European Organic Congress will take place in Riga. It will address the development of Latvian organic agriculture within the perspective of the emerging EU legislation on organic farming and the new development opportunities for organic farming upon the beginning of the new programming period 2014-2020 and the reformed Rural Development Programme.

The congress takes place at a time when the EU institutions are working intensively on the new EU regulation on organic farming. The EU Ministers for Agriculture discussed the legislative proposal for the regulation at the informal meeting in June and they will try to reach a general approach on this dossier at the next Council meeting on 16 June.

The aim of the proposal for the regulation on organic farming is the improvement of legislation in organic production by removing barriers for further development of the sector, guaranteeing a fair competition among organic operators and enhancing consumers' trust in organic products.

The European Organic Congress will bring together representatives from the European Commission, Member State Ministries, EU scientific research institutions, controlling institutions, public organisations and lobbyists interested in the development of organic farming.

On 11 June, shortly after the opening of the congress, a press conference will be held at the National Library of Latvia at 10:30. The Latvian Minister for Agriculture, Jānis Dūklavs; Member of the European Parliament and rapporteur for the legislative proposal for the new regulation on organic farming, Martin Häusling; the President of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Christopher Stopes; and the President of the Association of Latvian Organic Agriculture, Gustavs Nokārklis will take part in the press conference.

The officials will inform the media on important developments linked to the new regulation on organic farming. We would like to remind that access to the National Library of Latvia is provided on displaying a valid accreditation card.

Live broadcast of the congress on 11 June will be provided on the Latvian Presidency website and the 9th European Organic Congress website.

Contact
Kristīne Rīna
Expert in communication