The European Parliament adopted by 683 votes to 3, with 8 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production as regards its date of application and certain other dates referred to in that Regulation.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, taking over the Commission proposal.

Taking into account the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related public health crisis, its epidemiological development, as well as the additional resources required in the Member States and by operators, the Commission proposes to postpone the date of application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 by one year (until 1 January 2022) in order to ensure the proper functioning of the organic sector, to provide legal certainty and to avoid possible market disruption.

Several dates related to derogations, reports or empowerments granted to the Commission to end or extend derogations, derive directly from the date of application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848. It is also proposed to defer these dates by one year.

Similarly, it is proposed to postpone by one year, until 31 December 2024, the date of expiry of the recognition granted to control authorities and control bodies in third countries under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, in order to give these control authorities and control bodies and their certified operators in third countries sufficient time to overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: to postpone by one year the date of application of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production due to exceptional reasons in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council.

BACKGROUND: Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishes a new regulatory framework as regards organic production. It provides for an application date of 1 January 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the related public health crisis is placing a heavy burden on national authorities and organic operators. The pandemic has also created extraordinary circumstances that require considerable adaptation of the organic sector in terms of production, marketing, controls and international trade.

Due to these extraordinary circumstances, it is very likely that Member States and organic operators will not be ready to ensure the proper implementation and application of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 from 1 January 2021.

CONTENT: in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market, to provide legal certainty to all organic operators, and to avoid potential market disruption, the Commission proposes to defer the date of application of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 by one year (until 1 January 2022) and certain other dates referred to in that Regulation that are derived from that date.

The proposed amendments aim to ensure that the intended purpose of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, that is to achieve:

- the establishment of a framework for organic production, with the goal of developing further an overall system of farm management and food production that combines best environmental and climate action practices;

- a high level of biodiversity;

- the preservation of natural resources and the application of high animal welfare standards and high production standards in line with the demand of a growing number of consumers for products using natural substances and processes.