Future of organic and quality foods and how we can step up consumption

Practical information

1. Composition of the study group 
2. Administrators / Assistant in charge: Myrto KOLYVA / Zahra KADIRI
3. Contact

The EU Youth Test at the EESC is being applied to this opinion. National Youth Council of Slovenia was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.

This opinion is part of the EESC pilot "Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM)" where representatives from Albania will take part in the study groups and in the Section meeting.

The Albanian representatives are: Mr. Endrit Kullaj (The Albanian Agribusiness Council (KASH), for Group I), Ms. Anisa Subashi (Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania – KSSH for Group II) and Ms. Evelina Azizaj  (Albanian Network for Rural Development, for Group III).

Background

Organic farming is at a crossroads. In the EU, while subsidies are an important tool to promote organic farming, researchers and policymakers argue that financial support alone is not sufficient to drive sustainable growth. It is essential to also address market regulation and improve policy frameworks. Additionally, for organic farming to truly succeed, organic products must be both affordable and widely available, ensuring that they are accessible to a broad range of consumers. A comprehensive approach is needed, focusing not just on financial incentives but also on making organic products more accessible.

European quality schemes play a crucial role in enhancing sales and increasing the remuneration of European producers. Schemes such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) serve as a means to differentiate high-quality products, ensuring that they are recognized and rewarded in the marketplace. By supporting these schemes, the EU can help strengthen the market position of its producers, increasing their competitiveness both within the internal market and globally.

This own-initiative opinion aims primarily to advocate for organic farming and EU quality schemes as an essential component of sustainable agriculture in the EU (and in the world) and to present a clear roadmap for the future development of organic farming in Europe, ensuring that it can grow sustainably and contribute meaningfully to the EU’s environmental and climate goals and more sustainable agri-food systems while maintaining Europe’s position as a global leader in sustainable and competitive agriculture, by addressing also the following key points:

• the existing gap between consumer values, which may favour sustainability, and actual purchasing behaviour, which often leans toward cheaper, less environmentally conscious alternatives. To close this gap, organic products need to become more affordable and widely available, and their consumption needs to be increased;
• areas where the EU’s organic production framework needs improvement, such as the lack of consistent support for organic farmers and the uneven development of organic farming across Member States.
• Organic farming is a critical component of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy, as it contributes to reducing pesticide use, preserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. However, to meet the targets outlined in the Farm to Fork strategy, organic farming must be scaled up significantly, for example by supporting the competitiveness of the organic products and improving cooperation and better negotiation position for organic farmers.

This opinion will consider the key recommendations from Enrico Letta’s and Mario Draghi’s reports (highlighting the importance of competitiveness, emphasizing the need to facilitate public procurement and provide financial and tax incentives for products certified under European quality schemes, including organic products), as well as the strategic directions outlined in the report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture.