Member states of the European Union have reached an agreement on a common negotiating position for changes to the regulations governing organic production and the labeling of organic products. The decision was adopted at a meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture, with the main goal of making existing rules easier to apply, clearer to interpret, and better adapted to real farming conditions.
Through these changes, the Council of the European Union does not intend to alter the essence of organic farming or lower quality requirements. On the contrary, the objective is to preserve the high standards that have made EU organic products recognizable on the global market, while reducing administrative burdens for farmers, processors, traders, and national authorities.
Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus, emphasized that organic farming is a strategic asset for Europe’s food systems, biodiversity, and rural communities.
“Member states want rules that are simpler, clearer, and better aligned with realities on the ground, while preserving the standards and consumer confidence that have built the success of the EU organic sector,” she said.
One of the most significant changes concerns small producers and retailers. The proposal introduces simplified certification procedures and certain exemptions for smaller operators. Small online retailers selling already packaged organic products, under clearly defined conditions, could be exempt from part of the certification requirements. The aim is to make market access easier for family farms and smaller agricultural businesses.
Important changes also concern imports of organic products from countries outside the European Union. Under the new proposal, products imported from countries whose organic systems are recognized as equivalent to EU standards will no longer automatically be allowed to use the EU organic logo. This will only be possible if they meet additional production and control requirements close to EU standards.
At the same time, a previous proposal by the European Commission, which would have allowed products containing up to five percent ingredients from third countries that do not meet additional criteria to carry the EU organic label, has been rejected.
The new measures also introduce temporary flexibility in livestock farming and aquaculture. During the transition period, limited use of non-organic protein feed for poultry and pigs will be allowed, as well as certain temporary exemptions in aquaculture. However, these measures are expected to be gradually phased out.
To avoid market disruption, products already labeled under the current rules will be allowed to remain on the market until existing stocks are sold out. This will ensure legal certainty and continuity in trade during the transition period.
The next step will be negotiations between the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. The goal is to reach a final agreement before the end of the year, as the current recognition system for third countries expires on December 31, 2026.
Organic farming continues to expand across Europe. According to the European Commission, more than 381,000 organic farmers currently operate within the European Union, representing an increase of around 30 percent compared to 2018.
For Serbia, which has been steadily increasing both organic production and exports in recent years, these changes could send an important signal that the European market remains demanding, but also increasingly transparent and predictable.
