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EU Organisations

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements - IFOAM

Introduction

The IFOAM EU Group is an independent regional group within IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements. It is a part of IFOAM and works within its structures. IFOAM EU Group represents at the EU level more than 300 member organisations of IFOAM in the EU-27, the EU accession countries and EFTA. Member organisations cover the complete range of organic establishments and include: consumer, farmer and processor associations; research, education and advisory organisations; certification bodies and commercial organic companies.

The IFOAM EU Group was formally constituted as a regional group within IFOAM in February 2000 following its first General Assembly. It superseded the EU Working Group, which was formed in 1990. In 2002, IFOAM EU Group registered as an international not-for-profit organisation in Sweden. Since 2003 it operates with an office in Brussels.

Structure, key stakeholders and partners

Primary responsibility for the decisions of IFOAM EU Group is vested in the Board of the organisation, which is elected every three years and is endorsed by the General Assembly. Board members are elected nationally, i.e. the IFOAM members in each EU/EFTA/candidate country elect one board member and one substitute to represent the respective national organic sectors at the Board of the EU Group. This structure reflects the fact that much of the Group’s focus is directed at the EU and it is thus essential to maintain the credibility of the organisation as EU-wide representative of the organic movements and businesses. Indeed today the Group is regarded by EU officials as the principle representative of the organic movement in the EU.

The members of the Board are responsible for communication to and from the member organisations in their countries and for bringing their views to the Board. The Board holds formal meetings two or three times a year in different member countries, and communicates on an on-going basis. Since spring 2009 the Group has also had an eight-member Executive Board which, in conjunction with the Director, manages the processes of the organisation and adopts positions between the board meetings on behalf of the IFOAM EU Group.

The content work of the Group is separated into three main areas: Regulation, Policy and Research. Much of the work is carried out within various working groups (committees, expert groups, specialist groups and task forces).

IFOAM EU Group is represented on a number of European Commission committees, including the DG Agriculture advisory groups on organic farming, on quality and health, on rural development and on fruit and vegetables. It has observer status in the advisory group for agriculture and environment. It is further represented in the DG Sanco advisory group on food chain and animal and plant health.

Priorities and activities

IFOAM EU Group advocates for the development and integrity of organic food and farming in Europe. It is a forum for common interest, information exchange, development and policy work. Its objectives are defined in its statutes and can be summarised as:

  • To promote within the EU the principles and practices of organic agriculture and food production as set out in the IFOAM Standards;
  • To coordinate and represent IFOAM members in EU countries, within IFOAM, in the EU and elsewhere;
  • To enable the exchange of information both between IFOAM members in EU countries and with other bodies worldwide;
  • To assist in the coordination and dissemination of research in organic food production throughout the EU;
  • To work towards the establishment of common policies within the Group in relation to the above.

Further information