Coupled with economic speculation, this led to an economic crisis with a heavy inflation rate, increasing energy and food prices and increasingly struggling households that must prioritise their spendings. A crisis that is also impacting organic’s development in Europe. In such context it is even more important to make sure we work efficiently, and we use our resources in the best way possible, organically. For this reason, with this newsletter, we would like also to offer you an overview of some of the deliverables that we will produce in 2023 and that are available for you, your organisation, and your membership. If you are interested in one of the studies, infographics, video or other materials that we will (and have) produce(d), please contact us and we will share it, so you can translate and brand it for your use! We also want to ensure a united and cohesive organic movement and business sector in Europe. Our role in these special times is even more relevant. While reading this newsletter (and the future issues – remember to subscribe!) you will get a glimpse of the challenges ahead, for which we need a strong representation in the European capital. Strong policies favouring organic supply and demand, as the EU Organic Action Plan puts forward, can be a stimulus for organic producers and consumers. Unfortunately, the organic sector often faces policies doing the opposite. There is a high number of labels for products, such as HVE (High Environmental Value) in France, but also and industry-led “regenerative” schemes. Many of these labels claim to do what the EU organic label is already doing: providing a guarantee for truly sustainable practices. The EU should ensure the different initiatives are not competing and prevent greenwashing and help avoid misleading advertising using labels that favour large-scale and “efficient” processes using monocultures, synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. Labels should also set high standards for environmentally friendly products and encourage consumers to buy products that actually deliver for biodiversity, water, air & soil quality. If policymakers will not ensure this, IFOAM Organics Europe is ready to take the lead and fight greenwashing in all possible ways, as we did for example with our legal action against the 'EcoScore' labelwith our legal. Another challenge for organic in the EU and globally is the Commission’s initiative to write new legislation to make way to industry’s new GMOs or ‘new breeding techniques’. Along with many other issues, we are following this topic closely and are fighting to ensure the new legislation will protect the organic supply chain, and ensure traceability and labelling of those new GMOs. Please, be aware that with this special edition we could only offer you an overview of highest priority topics for 2023. If you are interested in a detailed overview of our 2023 working plan, do not hesitate to contact us at info@organicseurope.bio! As you can tell, there are challenging times ahead. Please, rest assured that we will continue doing the work at EU-level for you, as you can read in this newsletter! If you want to learn more about these topics, make sure to attend our side events at BIOFACH, visit our European Organic Congress 26-27 September 2023 in Córdoba (Spain) and/or our Organic Food Conference in May in Italy. You may expect a regular edition of our newsletter early March. Are you not yet subscribed to this and interested in this? d and we will send you an update of our work six time a year. If you would like to receive more regular updates, visit our member extranet (for members only), our website or follow us on social media @OrganicsEurope. Best wishes and don’t panic, the future remains organic, Eduardo |