Small farms can either convert to producing organically in the future “or they disappear from the market”, as is the view of the European Commissioner for Agriculture.
Speaking at a press conference after the commission’s action plan for development of organic production was adopted, Janusz Wojciechowski said that organic farming is a good opportunity for small and medium-sized farms.
“We can observe the process in the last years – many of the small and medium-sized farms disappeared; they are not able to participate in the competition with intensive, industrial farming,” the commissioner said.
With strong support they will be able to participate in the competition to survive and, not only survive, but to develop farms and to develop their incomes.
“This is one of the main values of this plan.”
Food security
The commissioner said that there are concerns expressed that the development of organic farming will have the consequence of less productivity, leading to a problem with food security.
“Of course, organic production is less intensive, less productive,” he said.
“But, this is the chance for the small farmers especially. Many of [these] farms have only the alternative to be organic and exist, or to stop farming.
“If we propose support for organic production, they will be able to exist having a small number of animals. The connection between organic and animal welfare is very close.
However, the commissioner emphasised that it was “never said that organic farms should stay small”.
It’s an opportunity for all kinds of farms – if big farms wish to convert into organic farming, they are free to do so. I’m emphasising the issue of small farms, because for them, it’s to be or not to be; it’s to sink or swim.
“They can either continue as organic farms or they disappear from the market. It is an opportunity for all farmers and I believe all farmers will be interested.”
The commissioner noted that “it is not enough to tell the farmer ‘please convert to organic farming, and we will support you’ – the farmer has loads of questions”.
He added that there is no separate EU budget dedicated to organic farming, such as under CAP, “and there will be no such separate budget”.