Organic farming outside the EU following compliance requirements

This Regulation establishes the principles of organic production and lays down the rules concerning organic production, related certification and the use of indications referring to organic production in labelling and advertising. Provisions apply to the following products originating from agriculture, including aquaculture and beekeeping, where such products are, or are intended to be, produced, prepared, labelled, distributed, placed on the market, imported into or exported from the European Union.

Organic production shall pursue the following general objectives:

• contributing to protection of the environment and the climate;
• maintaining the long-term fertility of soils;
• contributing to a high level of biodiversity;
• substantially contributing to a non-toxic environment;
• contributing to high animal welfare standards and, in particular, to meeting the species-specific behavioural needs of animals;
• encouraging short distribution channels and local production in the various areas of the Union;
• encouraging the preservation of rare and native breeds in danger of extinction;
• contributing to the development of the supply of plant genetic material adapted to the specific needs and objectives of organic agriculture;
• contributing to a high level of biodiversity, in particular by using diverse plant genetic material, such as organic heterogeneous material and organic varieties suitable for organic production;
• fostering the development of organic plant breeding activities in order to contribute to favourable economic perspectives of the organic sector.