EU and US agree landmark organic standards deal

The European Union has agreed a major trade deal with the US on organic food, mutually recognising each other’s organic production standards.

As a result of the deal, any foods produced to EU organic standards can now be sold as ‘organic’ in the US, and vice versa.

The EU and the US are the world’s largest producers of organic food, with organic markets worth a combined €40bn (£33.4bn).

The European Commission said the deal would help promote organic agriculture and support jobs and business in the organic sector.

Agriculture commissioner Dacian Ciolos said organic farmers and producers from the EU would now be able to access the US market “with less bureaucracy and less cost, strengthening the competitiveness of this sector”.

“This agreement comes with a double added-value,” he said. “On the one hand, organic farmers and food producers will benefit from easier access; in addition, it improves transparency on organic standards and enhances consumers’ confidence and recognition of our organic food and products.”

Previously, organic suppliers wanting to trade on both sides of the Atlantic were required to obtain two separate sets of certification.