Organic farming gets a boost with new EU label (1st July, 2010)

It’s hoped that a new EU-wide organic logo which comes into use this month will enhance consumer confidence in organic food and help to promote the sector in Ireland and abroad.
Since 1st July, the ‘Euro-leaf’ label is mandatory on all pre-packaged foods produced in any EU country that meet organic farming standards. The logo is optional for non-packed and imported organic products, and other national organic logos can still be displayed beside the EU label.
The new rules also oblige manufacturers to indicate where product ingredients were farmed and provide the code number of the body that performed quality controls. Food producers have a two-year transition period to comply with the new labelling rules.
Irish MEP Nessa Childers said she hoped the new logo, chosen by an online poll following a competition for arts students, will become a “widely recognised symbol” of organic food production.
“People who eat organic are keen to know it’s done properly. And any measure that increases our ability to sell organic food is good for Irish farmers – it gives added value to their produce,” she said.
Organic farming avoids or dramatically reduces the use of chemical additives such as fertilisers, pesticides and medicines in food production.