Exploring EU Best Practices in Organic Product Labelling and Use of the EU Organic Logo (Euroleaf)
On 6 November 2024, an online training “Labelling of Organic Products: EU Organic Logo” was held, featuring European speakers from Germany and the Czech Republic. The primary focus of the event was a detailed introduction to the EU legislation on organic production and labelling of organic products.
The event was attended by over 80 representatives of the organic sector of Ukraine, including operators, state institutions, public associations, and service providers.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of participants in the Ukrainian organic sector regarding the requirements and proper use of the EU organic logo (Euroleaf) and labelling regulations in general. The acquired knowledge will enable the participants to appropriately represent Ukrainian organic products in both international and domestic markets.
The event was opened with welcome words by:
- Maryna Kyslytska, Head of the State Policy Division on Organic Production of the Food Security and Excise Products Directorate of the Department of State Policy on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine;
- Natalie Prokopchuk, Organic Component Coordinator, Swiss-Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP);
- Dr. Stefan Dreesmann, Team Leader, German-Ukrainian Cooperation in Organic Agriculture (COA).
Participants gained insights into key requirements for organic product labelling from Ukrainian and international experts. A comprehensive overview of EU labelling regulations and practical aspects of using the Euroleaf was provided by Olena Manziuk, Deputy Head of Certification, Standardisation and Quality Department, Organic Standard certification body.
Jens Walter from the Bavarian State Office for Agriculture, competent authority for organic farming in Bavaria (Germany), shared insights on common mistakes made by importers from third countries and discussed the legal consequences of non-compliance with organic labelling regulations.
Veronika Stupková, Deputy Head of the Unit of Organic Farming, Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic shared international experience in organic labelling, focusing on the use of both the EU and Czech national organic logos.
The event was moderated by Sergiy Galashevskyy, General Manager of the Organic Standard certification body.
The training was organised by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and Organic Standard certification body, supported by:
- Switzerland, within the framework of the Swiss-Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG; and
- Germany, within the German-Ukrainian Сooperation in Organic Agriculture project (COA) with financial support from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture of Germany (BMEL).
