EU Organic Day has been officially instated on 23 September following a joint declaration agreed by the European Parliament, Council of the European Union and European Commission.
The creation of an Organic Day is designed to raise awareness of organic production and is supported by an action plan to develop organic products.
Janusz Wojciechowski, Commissioner for Agriculture described organic production as “a sustainable type of agriculture where food production is done in harmony with nature, biodiversity and animal welfare.
“September 23 is also autumnal equinox, when day and night are equally long, a symbol of balance between agriculture and environment that ideally suits organic production.”
Around 8.5 per cent of the EU’s agricultural area is farmed organically, and it is predicted to reach between 15 and 18 per cent by 2030.
Ireland’s share of agricultural land currently under organic farming is around 2 per cent, one of the lowest in Europe.
The commission hopes to increase agricultural land in the EU being under organic production by 2030.
LSL News.