REPORT: European Commission. Action plan for the development of organic production

25 March 2021. The new organic action plan builds upon the achievements of the 2014-20 action plan and takes into account the outcome of a public consultation on organics, held between September and November 2020.

• Its overall aim is to boost the production and consumption of organic products, to reach 25% of agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, as well as to increase organic aquaculture significantly.
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  The Commission also intends to increase the share of research and innovation (R&I) and dedicate at least 30% of the budget for research and innovation actions in the field of agriculture, forestry and rural areas to topics specific to or relevant for the organic sector.

European Commission (2021) Action plan for the development of organic production. Communication from the commission to the European Parliament, the council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the committee of the regions. March 2021. 22 pp.

The action plan is broken into three interlinked axes that reflect the structure of the food supply chain and ambitions of the Green Deal sustainability objectives:

1. Axis 1: stimulate demand and ensure consumer trust
2. Axis 2: stimulate conversion and reinforce the entire value chain
3. Axis 3: organics leading by example: improve the contribution of organic farming to environmental sustainability

The three axes will be supported by 23 actions, continuing some of the successful 2014-20 actions, as well as putting forward an array of new actions and mobilising different sources of funding.
Stronger support in the new common agricultural policy

The common agricultural policy (CAP) will be mobilised fully to support the implementation of the action plan. Financial support for organics will continue to be offered through rural development commitments, with an additional stream of funding made available through eco-schemes. CAP support will also include technical assistance and the exchange of best practices and innovations in organics. Farm advisory services will be strengthened, notably as part of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), to promote relevant knowledge exchange.
Focus on Research and Innovation

Organic farming is knowledge-intensive. However, there is still a clear need to enhance further the knowledge so that organic farming can become even more sustainable and also more productive. To support the ambitions of the action plan, the Commission intends to dedicate at least 30% of the budget for research and innovation actions in the field of agriculture, forestry and rural areas to topics specific to or relevant for the organic sector, such as increased crop yields, genetic biodiversity and alternatives to contentious products.