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.
Following a reassessment of the UK and EU organic equivalence both sides have now confirmed each other’s standards as equivalent, and each side has taken the necessary steps to ensure that trade in organic products between GB and the EU can continue beyond 2023.
The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains a provision which required the reassessment of organic equivalence by 31 December 2023.
Providing long-term certainty
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, “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.”
"This will provide longer-term certainty for those organic businesses who have been concerned about losing this valuable export market.”
NFU Organic Forum chair Andrew Burgess
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