Transatlantic organic trade agreement enters force
The historic partnership on organic trade signed between the world's two largest organic-producers in February 2012 entered into force at the start of June.
The ‘equivalency arrangement’ will assist trade on a growing market and support jobs and businesses on a global scale.
"This agreement comes with a double added value,” said Dacian Cioloş, EU Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development.
“On the one hand, organic farmers and food producers will benefit from easier access, with less bureaucracy and less costs, to both the U.S. and the EU markets, strengthening the competitiveness of this sector. In addition, it improves transparency on organic standards, and enhances consumer confidence and recognition of our organic food and products,” stated today.
The organic sector in both regions is valued at roughly €40 billion combined – with the figure rising every year.
The partnership will eliminate ‘significant’ barriers – especially for small and medium-sized organic producers, who previously had to obtain separate certifications to two standards in order to trade products on both sides of the Atlantic, said the Commissioner.
