• The European Commission is launching a call for proposals to establish an "Expert Group" for technical advice on organic farming for the period 2026-2029.
• The call will be open until July 25, 2025.

Organic farming is not just a way of growing crops; it's a way of caring for the planet and people's health. Therefore, for the European Union (EU), organic production is seen as key to a healthier, fairer, and more sustainable food system.

To further this agricultural model, the EU, through the European Commission (EC), has launched a new call for proposals to select members of the " Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production" ( EGTOP ) for the period 2026-2029. This initiative seeks to strengthen cooperation between institutions, experts, and civil society, ensuring that European policies on organic production are based on evidence, innovation, and open dialogue between institutions and individuals.

The call will be open until July 25, 2025. Anyone with proven experience in organic farming, whether in research, agricultural practice, consulting, or public administration, is welcome to apply. It is not necessary to represent an organization: the important thing is to bring knowledge, commitment, and a constructive vision for the future of the sector.

What is the “Technical Advisory Group on Organic Production”?

The "Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Organic Production" is the reference team that advises the EC on how organic production standards should evolve in the EU. Its mission is clear: to ensure that policy decisions are based on scientific evidence, practical experience, and a forward-looking vision aligned with ecological values.

This group not only reviews and proposes technical improvements for inclusion in the regulations, but also evaluates Member States' requests to amend the technical annexes to the regulations relating to environmental matters.

Its most notable features are:

• It is a permanent group.
• EGTOP produces regular reports on organic production and also assesses requests from EU countries to amend the technical annexes to regulations.
• Until 2008, before the creation of EGTOP, the EU relied on the advice of several ad hoc expert groups that performed the same function, but on a temporary basis. These groups produced several reports on organic production.

Organic farming in the European Union

In addition to the permanent group of experts, the European organic production policy is based on two other pillars:

1. The Organic Production Committee : This committee is composed of representatives from all European Union Member States and chaired by a delegate from the European Commission. Its main function is to discuss and evaluate proposals for amending European regulations on organic production, acting as a channel of coordination between the EU and its member states.
2. The Civil Dialogue Group on Organic Production : This group is composed of representatives of stakeholders (such as producer and consumer organizations, trade unions, NGOs, cooperatives, business associations, etc.). Its purpose is to advise and monitor EU organic production policy and to contribute its practical experience. Its functions include:

• Maintain regular dialogue on all matters related to organic production in the CAP, including its implementation and any new measures the Commission may be called upon to adopt.
• Exchange relevant experiences and good practices.
• Advise the Commission on relevant policies.
• Issue relevant opinions at the request of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the EC, or on its own initiative.
• Monitor the development of EU organic farming policies.