News
Publication of new Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production
31. Mar 2021
On 25 March, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski presented a new Action Plan for the development of organic production. The Commissions aims to push organic farming significantly and to increase production as well as consumption of organic products. More precisely, it is envisaged that by 2030 a quarter of the EU’s agricultural land shall be under organic farming and organic aquaculture shall be expanded.
The Action Plan lists 23 measures the Commission wants to put forward, structured around three axes – namely ‘boosting consumption’, ‘increasing production’ and ‘further improving the sustainability of the sector’. At least 30 % of the R&I budget earmarked for agriculture, forestry and rural areas shall be reserved for specific topics relevant for the organic sector. Research is called to focus on the following sectors:
- Changing farmers' and consumers' behaviours
- Increased crop yields
- Genetic biodiversity
- Alternatives to contentious products
Relevant topics are going to be implemented by the thematic Clusters of Horizon Europe, but also via the planned mission ‘Soil health and food’ as well as the various relevant Partnerships. R&I results shall be disseminated via the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) and through the European Innovation Partnership AGRI to ensure a maximum impact within the member states.
The Action Plan was announced in the EU’s Biodiversity strategy as well as the ‘Farm to fork strategy’, both presented in May last year. These strategies are crucial elements of the European Green Deal to facilitate the transformation towards more sustainable food systems and stop the loss of biodiversity.