The Vision for Agriculture and Food states that sustainability and farming can go hand in hand, and organic farming is a clear example. Organic farming is a key component of the European Union’s common agricultural policy (CAP), contributing to the EU’s resilience, strategic autonomy and territorial cohesion.
Its environmental credentials are clear: organic farming encourages the responsible use of energy and natural resources, the preservation of regional ecological balances, the enhancement of soil fertility, the maintenance of water quality, rich biodiversity and high standards of animal welfare.
While those benefits are significant, organic farming goes beyond them. The economic and business case of organic farming is equally important. The share of land farmed organically in the EU has been growing steadily to attain currently around 17 million hectares (11% of the total agriculture land). Europeans increasingly opt for organic foods, relying on an EU organic logo that boosts consumer trust and is the food quality label that Europeans know best (56% awareness rate). As a result, following a temporary stagnation in some Member States after 2021 – mainly due to inflation peaks – retail sales of organic products attained over EUR 45 billion. This represents more than a doubling over the last decade.
Organic farming contributes to territorial and economic cohesion by supporting quality jobs, fostering local small and medium-sized entrepreneurship and retaining value in rural areas through local processing and short marketing circuits. These impacts are further enhanced through innovative territorial approaches such as organic bio-districts, which illustrate the synergies that the future EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) aims to promote in rural development.
Organic farming has also become a driver for generational renewal as underscored in the Commission’s Strategy for generational renewal in agriculture (PDF) and the organic share among young farmers is far higher (20.7%) than for all farms combined (11.9%). EU initiatives in favour of organic farming not only create the conditions for the long-term and sustainable competitiveness of rural areas but also create new opportunities for the generation renewal in agriculture. In the context of the Commission’s broader agenda for competitiveness and Europe’s open strategic autonomy, organic production also contributes to reducing dependencies on external inputs, strengthening resilient territorial supply chains and enhancing the EU’s capacity to ensure robust and sustainable agri-food systems. All these attributes create new market opportunities for farmers, strengthen local supply chains and support rural employment and development, thereby contributing to balanced territorial development across the Union.
The Commission is committed to further support the organic sector and value chain for more competitiveness with its trademark high standards. In the proposed future CAP for 2028-34, the EU budget will continue to fund organic farming, and in addition innovation in the sector. It will be able to benefit from Research and the European Competitiveness Fund.
Besides financial support under the CAP, the development of the organic sector in the EU is grounded on a comprehensive legal framework laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (basic regulation) and the corresponding delegated and implementing Regulations that set EU organic standards as the most demanding worldwide.
A targeted amendment of the organic basic regulation
Building on the experience of the past years of implementation, the Commission proposes that the basic regulation is adjusted in a targeted way, with the view to unleash the full potential of the sector, to:
- Provide clarity for operators about the rules in place for the import of organic products under the equivalence regime following the Herbaria II Court case, ensuring that consumers make informed choices when purchasing organic products imported from third countries and ensuring fair competition within the internal market between products that fully comply with Union production rules and those that comply with rules equivalent to these.
- Avoid potential disruptions in international trade from which the EU organic sector largely benefits, by postponing the expiry of the equivalence recognitions with 11 third countries beyond 31 December 2026.
- Reduce some complexity of the current regulatory framework and enhance the competitiveness of EU organic production, building on the input collected during the consultations conducted.
While maintaining organic production’s high standards, these targeted amendments will create a framework fit for the future for farmers and other operators, supporting the sector’s competitiveness and its capacity to invest, innovate and contribute to the EU’s economic resilience.
The proposed adjustments to the basic regulation are expected to bring annual direct administrative cost savings for a total of EUR 47.8 million, of which EUR 45.9 million for farmers and other operators and EUR 1.9 million for administrations. In addition, these elements may entail for farmers and other operators direct one-off adjustment cost savings of EUR 109.2 million and annual direct adjustment cost savings of EUR 90.2 million.
A roadmap for actions on the organic legal framework
Reducing complexity does not stop at the basic act. As part of the comprehensive approach towards burden reduction for farmers, operators and public authorities, the Commission is presenting a roadmap for further actions aimed at reviewing additional elements of the organic legal framework, notably the organic secondary legislation. The review will focus on specific issues that are considered to represent a burden for farmers and other operators. It will bring pragmatic solutions and clarity to the sector while maintaining the high standards of this production system.
The roadmap presents concrete actions planned in the coming years, their instruments and a timeline indicating when the Commission services intend to deliver the action.
More specifically, the actions proposed in the roadmap will benefit organic farmers and other operators by allowing hydrolates to be marketed as organic, simplifying the approach and identifying criteria for cleaners and disinfectants for plants, animals and aquaculture, as well as updating the list for biocides used in those sectors.
Pending the advice of the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic production, the envisaged actions are also expected to facilitate organic farmers by reviewing certain requirements such as stocking density and outdoor area for poultry and the requirements of outdoor areas for pigs.
The envisaged actions are also expected to reduce burden on administrations by removing the requirement of prior authorisation by competent authorities for the use of vitamins and provitamins of non-organic origin in feed, as well as by allowing them to correct the Certificate of Inspection after its issuance when the integrity of organic or in-conversion products is not compromised.
Furthermore, the Commission intends to improve the ongoing support, in particular through dedicated trainings or workshops for the handling of OFIS notifications, including improving the interoperability of the IT systems such as OFIS and TRACES. More generally, the Commission will review the data currently collected with a view to identifying areas where collection could possibly be streamlined. The Commission will also strengthen its control and audit system with a view to further reinforce the integrity of the EU organic certification system. The Commission will also pursue its efforts in facilitating the listing procedures of low risk and basic substances, in accordance with the evolution of the general EU rules on plant protection products.
In addition to reviewing secondary legislation and in line with the overall Commission approach to simplification, the envisaged actions will also aim to improve interpretation consistency and readability, as well as ensure proportionality in implementation in key areas. To support the sector’s further development and competitiveness, the Commission will therefore review existing guidance and explanatory documents on organic production such as the Frequently Asked Questions, in particular in relation to livestock conversion, exceptional conditions around access to pasture, the content of product category G and the CN codes belonging to it. In relation to the question of organic ingredients naturally rich in micronutrients, the Commission will consider due action based on the outcome of ongoing legal case.
The Commission will publish the report to the European Parliament and the Council on the availability of organic protein feed and on the authorisation to use non-organic protein feed for piglets and young poultry. Based on that report, the Commission will consider proposing the extension of the authorisation to use non-organic protein feed for these animals. Along with that report, the Commission will also publish the report to the European Parliament and the Council on the availability and use of organic and in-conversion plant reproductive material (PRM) and the use of derogations for conventional PRM. Based on this report, the Commission will consider appropriate actions to promote availability and use of organic and in-conversion PRM, ensuring that organic farmers can appropriately produce, dispose of and use it.
Finally, the Commission will publish the report to the European Parliament and Council on the implementation of Article 29 of the basic act on the presence of non-authorised products or substances in organic production. If necessary, it will explore ways for further harmonisation and exchange of experience among Member States.
The Commission will also continue its efforts of presenting the organic regulatory framework in a clear and transparent manner. They will create a more enabling environment where organic operators can innovate, cooperate and effectively respond to market opportunities. The roadmap is therefore not exhaustive as additional topics could lead to further clarifications or adjustments of the secondary legislation, for instance taking potential actions on organic aquaculture and on the fertilisation requirements for organic greenhouses.
In this regard, a stocktaking of the actions undertaken and results achieved will be performed and the roadmap reviewed in 18 months.
The EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production
The Commission has rolled out an EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production for the period 2021-2026, prompting Member States to develop their own national organic farming strategies. Through a comprehensive approach, it aims at increasing both demand and supply of organic products and enhancing further sustainability of organic production.
The Organic Action Plan comprises three axes and 51 actions: underpinning the demand for organic products, increasing their supply and enhancing further the sustainability of organic production. It is devised as an inclusive and comprehensive concept involving public authorities at different levels (EU, Member States, regional and local) and the entire supply chain (from farmers to restaurants). In many regions, the Organic Action Plan also supports territorial approaches, including bio-districts and local food strategies, which link organic production with rural development, tourism, gastronomy and public catering, thereby creating additional opportunities for jobs and value creation.
In 2026 the Commission will launch a consultation process with Member States and stakeholders to update the current Organic Action Plan taking into consideration the economic context of the organic sector in the EU. The revised Action Plan will spell out the benefit for the organic sector of the architecture and principles proposed by the Commission for the future CAP. An updated Organic Action Plan is expected both by Member States and organic stakeholders to give a sense of continuity to their endeavours in favour of organic farming and provide guidance in a changing policy framework with a growing role for Member States’ choices. The review will also take into account other policy developments at European level that create new opportunities for organic farming, such as the Bioeconomy Strategy as well as the upcoming Livestock Strategy. Additionally, reflections will focus on how organic farming can further support the EU’s priorities on competitiveness, skills, rural development and strategic autonomy and how to strengthen its links with innovation and digitalisation.
In the upcoming revision of the Public Procurement Directive, the Commission will examine how public procurement, while respecting single market rules and international obligations, can support sustainability objectives and EU preference. These objectives support European food policy. Organic farming will benefit from this, being an acknowledged sustainability criterion for green public procurement. This will enhance the alignment of public procurement with sustainability and socio-economic objectives, ensuring that organic products can play an increasing role in school canteens, hospitals and other public institutions in an environment which not only allows sustainable food public procurement but actively promotes it.
Overall, the updated Organic Action Plan will aim to stimulate both demand and supply of organic products, including exploring possibilities for enhancing access to schemes aimed at the promotion of organic products in the EU and overseas markets. Particular attention will be given to addressing structural bottlenecks in organic value chains, so that the sector can grow in a balanced way and deliver even more on its socio-economic and environmental potential. The functioning of the single market and a level playing field for sustainable agricultural production across the EU remain a priority. Taken together, all these initiatives will support a framework in which organic farming can grow and better contribute to competitiveness, quality employment and balanced territorial development.
Organic farming and the CAP
The current CAP provides essential support to organic farming. Under the CAP Strategic Plans, about EUR 19 billion are allocated to support organic farming in the EU.
On average at EU level, each organic hectare receives a specific EU support of EUR 148, in addition to other forms of income support. Today, there are more than 381 000 organic farmers in the EU, 30% more than in 2018. CAP support to organic farming is continuously evolving and improving to address the sector’s changing needs.
With the view to reduce administrative burden for farmers, the European Parliament and the Council agreed in 2025 on the Commission proposal for CAP simplification, where organic farmers are considered “green by definition”, as deemed to comply by default with certain Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, in addition to GAEC 7.
The Commission’s continuous commitment to the development of organic farming is also reflected in its proposal for the future CAP, with organic farming being one of the six environment and climate priority areas to which Member States must provide support and establish actions in their national and regional partnership plans. Transition payments are proposed to be introduced to cover the costs of shifting to more sustainable agroecological models such as organic farming.
In addition, the next MFF will offer opportunities for synergy projects. Strategic investments in processing infrastructure, logistics, cooperation models, and digitalisation will remain important to enhance the competitiveness and long-term viability of the organic sector. Strengthening and expanding training and advisory services tailored to the organic sector will also remain essential to further develop the sector.
Moreover, in the context of the next MFF and more integrated financial planning, new opportunities will emerge for organic producers through reinforcing value-chain organization, facilitating organic producer organisations, market transparency, and access to processing and marketing channels. This will allow organic production to grow in a balanced and competitive manner.
Through EU promotion programs, organic products are showcased both in the EU and in non-EU countries, with a total of EUR 185 million earmarked for the promotion of organic products from 2021. Moreover, under the Commission proposal for the future “EU School Scheme” of July 2025, organic products are among the criteria that Member States must use to prioritise the distribution of products in educational establishments for children.
The EU also provides several opportunities to research and innovation to address key challenges of the organic sector. In the period 2021-2025, under Cluster 6 of Horizon Europe, the EU deployed EUR 670 million for research and innovation topics relevant to the organic sector.
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