Childers welcomes new EU organic logo

Issued : Thursday 1 July, 2010

Irish Labour MEP Nessa Childers welcomed the new EU logo certifying organic food which comes into effect today. "I hope that these changes will give a boost to the Irish organic farming and food production sector and that the new logo can develop into the widely recognised symbol of organic food production across Europe, providing shoppers with confidence that the goods are produced to the highest organic quality.

"Organic foods have many advantages, in that they tend to contain a higher amount of nutrients as compared to the conventional food. The farm animals in an organic farming are reared without the use of growth hormones and are given a healthy and balanced diet. This makes such animal products tastier and healthier to eat. Fruits and vegetables grown in organic farms are found to have more antioxidants, which boost our health in many ways.

"The market for organic food in Ireland is currently very small but there has been steady growth from a low base. I believe this is an area of huge opportunity for the Irish agri-food sector. The largest share of all organic sales, 43%, is for fruit and vegetables but about 70% of these are imported. The second largest market is the meat market (25% of organic sales), mainly beef, with some lamb also important. Organic meat is more important in Ireland at about twice the EU average. Dairy products have a 10% share of all organic sales. Sales are about half of the European average.

"The new logo was the winner of a competition earlier this year, where some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. From 1st July, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. It will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label."