In March 2014 the European Commission published a proposed new legislative framework for organic production. This took a very principled, hard line approach that was widely seen as
unrealistic and failing to deliver on the aims of the review.
Many feared that it would lead to a shrinking of the sector. After over a year of negotiations in Council Working Parties the Member States agreed on their position. Sometime later the European Parliament too reached a position and ever since discussion has been in ‘trilogues’ where the three institutions try to seek agreement. As we enter the Maltese Presidency, agreement has not yet been reached.
This resource give an overview of how discussion has evolved, highlighting the key stumbling blocks, but also reflects on the extent to which, as a whole, the package delivers on its original aims.
