The European Union (EU) is unlikely to reach its target of organic farming on at least 25% of agricultural land by 2030, according to a report from the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The report says that while current policies are expected to increase the area under organic farming, this is unlikely to be enough to meet the target.
More time is needed
The EEA also calls for greater ambition in supporting a fundamental transformation of food production and consumption. “More time is needed to implement Europe’s Green Deal,” the report stresses.
According to the report, organic farming in the EU is growing steadily, from 5.9% (2012) to 9.9% of all agricultural land (2021).
However, if the current rate of growth were to be maintained, the share of organic farming in 2030 would be only 15%, which would not be in line with the European Commission’s ambitions.
Member states must take action
“Our analysis shows that Member States need to urgently strengthen actions to meet Europe’s environment and climate ambitions by 2030. This includes full implementation of current laws, increased investments in future-proof technologies and making sustainability a central element in all policies” says Leena Ylä-Mononen –
EEA Executive Director.
To reach the 25% target, the rate of progress would need to double in the remaining years, with an annual increase of around 11% in the area under organic farming.
In fact, according to the latest figures, Austria is the only Member State where organic farming accounts for 26% of all agricultural land.
Source: Manoukis