Following a lengthy consultation on its future launched last year, Sweden’s lead organic body KRAV says it will stay within the EU Organic Regulation.
KRAV CEO Anita Falknek confirmed at last year’s Nordic Organic Food Fair event that all options were on the table during its stakeholder consultation, including the possibility of withdrawal from the EU Organic Regulation.
Consideration of a withdrawal stemmed from concerns that operating under the EU regulations was limiting scope for Swedish organic producers, as some aspects the EU rules did not reflect Scandinavian growing conditions or sustainability priorities. However, some in the Swedish organic community warned that walking away from the Regulation – effectively having to come up with a new name for organic – could lead to consumer confusion and weaken the KRAV brand.
In the final analysis, KRAV has denied that its best option is to work to influence the EU Regulation from within “the club”.
By 2021 the new EU Organic Production Regulation will begin. While much has already been decided on the future look and shape of the Regulation, KRAV points out that a the a lot of work remains to be done with the design of some fifty detailed rules that the European Commission has to finalise.
Commenting on KRAV’s decision, Kjell Sjödahl Svensson, business area manager agriculture, said: “Here we have a chance to participate and influence. Instead of launching new, own rules by 2020, we are committed to contributing to the EU’s detailed rules as well as possible for our KRAV certified farmers and companies.”
Photo: Organic eggs featuring the KRAV and E U Organic Leaf labels. KRAV.