Analysis of differences between EU regulation 2092/91 related to other stan-dards – Potentials for harmonisation, simplification and regionalisation

Summary

An analysis is made of the differences between the EU regulation 2092/91 and se-lected organic standards as well as national governmental rules as part of an EU-funded research project on the revision of this regulation. The results show that many differences have specific justifications, influenced by specific national or regional circumstances or policies. The possible impacts/conflicts of the differences on con-sumer/public perception, trade and on the organic farming principles are explored. Main potentials for harmonisation, simplification and regionalisation of the EU regula-tion for organic food and farming are identified in the following areas: labelling, seeds, fertilising, pest and disease control, wild plants, animal feed, processing, biodiversity and contamination with pesticides/GMO.