The United States and the European Union will recognize their two respective organic programs as equivalent and allow access to each other’s markets under a partnership formed Feb. 15 in Nuremberg. Beginning June 1, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region.

The organics sector in the United States and the European Union combined is valued at more than $50 billion annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses and result in good jobs for Americans who package, ship and market organic products,” said U.S. Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan.

Dacian Ciolos, the E.U. commissioner responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, said, “This agreement comes with a double-added value. On the one hand, organic farmers and food producers will benefit from easier access, with less bureaucracy and less costs, to both the U.S. and E.U. markets, strengthening the competitiveness of this sector. In addition, it improves transparency to organic standards and enhances consumers’ confidence and recognition of our organic food and products. This partnership marks an important step, taking E.U.-U.S. agricultural trade relations to a new level of cooperation.”

Source: bakingbusiness.com