The Committee presented the 8 winners of this year’s Organic Awards, which are given for the second consecutive year on the occasion of the EU Organic Production Day.

This year around 100 applications were received from across the EU. Awards are given in 7 categories and 8 individual awards in recognition of outstanding, innovative, sustainable projects that inspire and produce real added value for organic production and consumption. The awards are given jointly by the European Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Committee of the Regions, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, with the support of the European Parliament and the Council.

The best (male) organic farmer was Mr. Thomas Moschos from Greece, who together with his brother owns the vertically integrated organic livestock and cheese farm Farma Moschos in Kastoria. It applies innovative methods for circularity and soil improvement, which lead to higher soil organic matter content and higher yields.

The winners in the remaining categories are as follows:

· Best organic farmer: Clara Benito Pacheco, Spain.

· Best organic region: Burgenland, Austria

· Best organic city: Vienna, Austria

· Best organic region: Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal

· Best Small and Medium Sized Organic Food Processing Enterprise: Merry Mill, Ireland

· Best Organic Retailer: Gut Wulksfelde, Germany

· Best organic restaurant / catering services: Luftburg – Kolarik im Prater, Austria.

Commissioner for Agriculture Janus Wojciechowski, who organized the award ceremony, said: “I want to thank all the winners. Cultivating our land according to the principles of organic farming, they not only take care of the soil but also produce healthy and quality products. The winners of today’s EU Organic Awards demonstrate that increasing the production and availability of organic food can benefit farmers, consumers and society at large.”

Korina Georgiou