The NFU has welcomed the news that the agreed UK-EU trade deal includes an agreement on organic equivalence, meaning the EU has agreed to recognise the UK as equivalent for organics until 31st December 2023. This is further to the European Commission’s decision that the UK’s six organic certification bodies will be recognised as having equivalent organic standards.
Recognition by the EU of the UK’s organic sector will ensure continued access to vital EU and Northern Irish markets and bring certainty to producers.
NFU organic forum chair Andrew Burgess said:
NFU organic forum chair Andrew Burgess said: “Exports to the EU have and always will be an important part of the UK organic supply chain and to be able to continue to export to that key market is a huge relief.
“We welcome the news that the trade deal included a technical annex on organic equivalence, meaning the EU and UK have agreed equivalency in organics until 31st December 2023. This will provide longer-term certainty for those organic businesses who have been concerned about losing this valuable export market.”
The UK is the world’s ninth largest organic market and sales of organic produce to the EU are worth £225m every year.
More from NFUonline:
- Five things you need to know about the Agricultural Transition Plan
- NFU responds to Defra's roadmap announcement
- NFU media coverage on the end of transition
- Prompt BPS payment is positive news for farmers, NFU says
- Defra launches consultation on live exports ban
- NFU Live: Events from the NFU this autumn
- Watch now: Your weekly video update from the President
Recent Comments:
0NFU Members: Have your say
Do you have a comment about this article?
Log in to have your say
If you have a question about this article:
Submit a question
Not a member?
Join us