Aims & Activities

    For the years 2004-2005 BEO has made a short-list of aims and activities we want to achieve.
    The most important subjects are:

  1. Harmonisation of pesticide residues for organic products
    In different EU countries there is a different approach towards pesticide residues in organic products. BEO has made a discussion paper to come to a harmonisation of pesticide residues in all EU countries. In this matter we work together with EOCC, IFOAM, BNN and FIBL.
  2. EU logo
    The EU logo has still a very weak position as label for the EU consumer. Main reasons are that organic products from outside the EU cannot be labelled. In addition the EU logo is not a very clear and communicative logo. For the international orientated organic processors and distributors it is necessary that they can work with one international EU logo for organic (in stead of all national logo's).
    BEO has made a position paper how the EU logo can become the international communication label for the all EU consumers (and processors and distributors).
  3. Development criteria for organic processing
    Annex VI A and B is one of the most difficult parts of the EU Regulation. The adaption of the Annex VI A and B for animal processed food is in discussion for more than three years. What to do with nitrate? What to do with ionization?
    There is an urgent need for a set of criteria and a good procedure to decide which additives and processing tools are in accordance with the organic processing method.
    BEO has made a first proposal for such a set of criteria and a procedure.
  4. Adaption EU Regulation Annex III - nr. 7
    In spring 2002 the new Regulation about the transportation and sealing of organic foods (EU Reg. 2092/91 Annex III Nr. 7) is in place.
    After a period of practical experience a lot of discussions with farmers traders and processors we have serious doubt if this regulation can be fully adopted to the practice. This regulation causes a lot of confusion and do not contribute toward more security for all partners on the organic food market. In general we have to state that there is a tendency of the EU Reg. 2092/91 to get lost in unnecessary details. The sector gets over regulated, which is a handicap for a successful further development. Annex III -nr. 7 are an example for that. The whole regulation must be review and strongly orientated on real risk factors an on the practical implementation possibilities of that standards.
  5. GMO-free status of organic products
    BEO fights for the GMO-free status of organic products. In Europe about 70% of the consumers prefer GMO-free food. Organic is legally committed to be GMO-free, but the thread of contaminations with GMO-crops is quite seriously. Better protection of the GMO-free status of organic agriculture and products in the coexistence rules on EU level is needed to guarantee in the near future GMO-free for the consumers.
    BEO members support national actions to convince their national government and the public opinion to protect GMO-free crops against the contamination risks of GMO-crops.
  6. Harmonisation of subsidies in specific fields
    In some specific areas there is unequal treat between conventional and organic. For instance in the EU-subsidy on butter for bakeries. Because organic butter is produced without the identification substances there is until this moment no possibility to become this subsidy on organic butter for example for bakeries. The Annex VI does not regulate these identification substances now because the whole animal part is not finished. But those identification substances are synthetic substances, which are not compatible with the organic sector. In private standards for processing of organic foods for animal products worldwide this substances cannot be found. We think that substances which are compatible with the organic thinking should be allowed by the EG Reg. 2571/97 (Regulation for the butter market) which is in the moment in the status of revision.
  7. EU Action Plan
    BEO-members has influenced the priorities for the EU Action Plan in discussion with their national governments. After the publication of the EU Action Plan BEO will be an active partner for the EU authorities for all action points concerning processing, distribution and communication & marketing.
  8. Communication: website and newsletter
    BEO starts in 2004 with a new website for spread our information. All BEO positions papers are available on the website. Four times a year we bring a Newsletter with new information. You can subscribe here.
  9. New members
    BEO has the ambition to represent all EU associations of organic processors and distributors. If you are interested in joining the BEO, you can contact us here.