Securing organic animal and plant breeding through a common cross-sector financing strategy

Summary

Organic breeding is the basis for a self-determined, independent organic sector. Despite the benefits provided to the organic sector, the number of dedicated breeding initiatives in Europe is very limited. Currently, the financing of organic breeding is insufficient and fragmented. Therefore, there is a need to place financing of organic breeding on a solid and sustainable basis with shared responsibilities along the value chain. We propose for discussion with the organic livestock sector, a financing concept of joint pre-commercial investment of the organic value chain (0.1 -0.2% organic market turnover at point of sale) into organic animal and plant breeding.