NEW rules to ensure that only high-quality organic food is sold in the EU and to boost organic production were approved by the European Parliament on Thursday .

MEPs gave the go-ahead to the new EU law on organic production and labelling , as agreed by Parliament ’ s negotiators and EU ministers on 28 June 2017 .

The main features include :

Ensure high quality of organic food

• Strict , risk-based checks will take place along the supply chain . Thanks to Parliament ’ s insistence , checks will be carried out on-site and for all operators , at least annually or once every two years if no fraud has been found in the last three years .

• Imports will have to comply with EU standards . Current “ equivalence ” rules , requiring non-EU countries to comply with similar but not identical standards , will be phased out within five years .

Boost EU organic food production

• Increasing supply of organic seeds and animals to meet the needs of organic farmers : derogations allowing the use of conventional seeds and animals in organic production should expire in 2035 .

• Mixed farms , to encourage conversion : farms producing both conventional and organic food would be allowed , on condition that the two farming activities are clearly and effectively separated .

• Easier certification for small farmers : group certification would save small farmers time and money .

Avoid contamination from chemical pesticides or synthetic fertilisers

• Precautionary measures : farmers and other operators in the food supply chain will be obliged to apply a set of new measures to avoid contamination . Member states that currently apply thresholds for non-authorised

substances in organic food , such as pesticides , could continue to do so , if they allow other EU countries ’ organic foodstuffs complying with EU rules to access their markets .

Four years after entry into force of this regulation , the Commission would report back on how efficient the EU anti-contamination rules and national thresholds are .