There is a wide gap between supply and demand of organic products in Europe, which seems to be growing by the day
Experts warn tht this gap is further expected to widen due to new EU amendment, reports EurActive Germany.
The market for organic food products has been surging for several years across Europe - the size of the market has quadrupled over the last ten years.
As per the EU numbers, approximately 5.5% of total farmland is used for organic cultivation, but in the last few years, the supply has been short of the surging demand.
Last year in March 2014, the European Commission adopted proposals for a new measure, which is expected to come into implementation in 2017. This regulation has stringent rules for the production and import of organic products, which may make it difficult for traditional farmers to make a shift to organic agriculture practices. This may even lead to organic producers shifting back to traditional farming practices.
However, critics complain that the chances of development in organic farming will take a hit with excessive legal barriers.
The EU's Council of Ministers and European Parliament are yet to discuss more on the new proposed legislation.
Felix Bloch from the DG Agriculture in the European Commission noted: "The Council of Ministers has already tabled amendment recommendations."
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL)'s Urs Niggli said that to boost yield, which presently stands at 50-90% of traditional farming, there is a need for more innovation in order to develop better fertilisation techniques and breeding.
