Organic companies sign open letter to EU Commission

Against genetic engineering: 75 companies have sent an open letter to the EU Commission. These include many organic companies as well as conventional ones.

EU slam for inspection body in Kenya

The EU Commission has examined the branch of an international certifier in Kenya and issued a very poor certificate for its work. So far, however, it has only had to do a little detention.

Eosta: Pilot project on living wages

Are minimum wages a useful concept for sustainability? To find an answer, Dutch organic importer Eosta has carried out a pilot project with Kenyan organic avocado farmers.

UK: Workshop on Renerative Agriculture

From 4th to 8th February 2019, IFOAM EU and 42 Acres Retreat offer a training course on regenerative and organic agriculture development.

Germany: Alnatura back on growth track

In recent years, the German company Alnatura had listed significantly lower increases in sales. Current figures and targets for the coming year were presented at the annual press conference.

Johan de Visser at Bio Borrel’s December edition

On 17^th December 2018, the next edition of BioBorrel will take place at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam at 6 pm.

L'Oréal appoints new head of Logocos

L'Oréal has appointed a new CEO for Logocos Naturkosmetik AG - not the only personnel change for the natural cosmetics manufacturer, which recently became part of L'Oréal.

Soybeans from Ukraine: Genetically modified and undeclared

In Ukraine, genetically modified soybeans are cultivated illegally on a large scale and marketed without declaration. This is shown by studies conducted by the Romanian environmental organisation Agent Green.

Why the organic community should fall in love with true prices – Interview with Adrian de Groot Ruiz

The economist Adrian de Groot Ruiz reveals how he calculates the true prices of our food. Read about the advantages he sees for organic trade - and where he would first look for hidden social and economic costs.

New method for egg production: When male chicks do not even hatch

Gender determination in the egg provides the possibility to only breed laying hens. The first eggs produced in this way are now available in conventional retail.

German organic producer takes on Danone

The German brewery Neumarkter Lammsbräu has issued a warning to the Danone Group. Because its mineral water subsidiary Volvic advertises its water with the terms "Naturally organic" and "Premium mineral water in organic quality".

Jan Plagge is Chairman of the Civil Dialogue Group

The Civil Dialogue Group is the EU Commission's most important advisory body on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2020. Jan Plagge, previously Vice-Chairman, is now Chairman.

Switzerland: Organic sales of vegetables, fruit and milk increase significantly

From September 2017 to August 2018, customers bought 7 percent more organic vegetables in Swiss retail outlets than in the same period last year. Sales of fruit and milk increased as well.

Winners of 2018 Sustainable Beauty Awards

The winners of the 2018 Sustainable Beauty Awards were announced at a dedicated reception in Paris a few days ago.

France: Trends and tendencies in the organic specialist trade

In 2017, France generated organic sales of around 8.3 bn euros. However, as conventional retailers are pushing their organic growth, the specialist trade is being threatened. But new trends also create new opportunities.

Genetic engineering researchers demand new genetic engineering law

Scientists from biotech research institutions in Europe are calling for European genetic engineering legislation to be amended and GM plants to be exempted from its approval regulations. However, their demand encounters resistance.

EU organic control in Romania slowly improving

The EU Directorate General for Health and Food Safety inspected Romania's eco-control system in April. The audit report now published confirms Romania's progress, but still criticises many details.

IFOAM EU: Organic meets conventional

On 30^th October, IFOAM EU’s event format “IFOAM EU meets business” had a successful premiere. The event aims at bringing together organic companies and companies involved or interested in organic trade.

Malmö: Natural Products Scandinavia and Nordic Organic Food Fair

Next week, Natural Products Scandinavia will be hosted from 14-15th November in Malmö, Sweden. Alongside the trade event, the Nordic Organic Food Fair will also take place at MalmöMässan.

New study: Eating organic food reduces cancer risk

Scientists investigated the link between the consumption of organic food and the risk of developing cancer. Result: More organic food reduces the risk of cancer. However, the work has scientific weaknesses.