Organic farming leads to environmental benefits and generational renewal

A new study done by Clémentine Antier on behalf of IFOAM Organics Europe highlights how targeted CAP support enables organic farmers to deliver tangible benefits for biodiversity, water, resilience and generational renewal:

CAP Support to organic farming and generational renewal.

The research focuses on the implementation of the current CAP 2023-2027, with the objective of disseminating knowledge and showcasing best practices in different European countries with national case studies.

Key findings of the study:

• Organic conversion support needs to be scaled-up to reach the 25% EU level target.
• Environmental benefits from organic farming should be assessed more systematically to guide policy framing and payment differentiation in consistency with organic farming’s high environmental outcomes.
• Maintenance support needs to be made compulsory to Member States and its support level raised to reward lasting benefits.
• Beyond funding, knowledge access for organic farmers is a key lever.
• The next CAP (as well as national policies) should prioritise and incentivise young farmers willing to start as organic. Member States must allocate a sufficient, mandatory budget to young farmers and significantly increase the minimum level of funding beyond 3% of the CAP direct payments budget.