Organic production: date of application and certain other dates

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.