Organic research & innovation to deliver sustainable food & farming systems – TP Organics position paper

TP Organics’ new position paper puts forward priorities for the third and final Work Programme of Horizon Europe (2025-2027) – both for the general work programme and those of the Missions. These research priorities reflect the organic and agroecological sector’s knowledge and innovation needs. They were identified in the 2019 Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda and the position paper updates these to include the practical and political challenges following the current crises.

Proposed priority topics for research and innovation under Cluster 6 of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025-2027 are:

1. Improve collection of statistics on inputs and outputs in organic agriculture
2. Set up demonstration sites of agroecological management of organic horticulture
3. Improve methods to assess the sustainability of organic farming
4. Reduce the climate impact of organic livestock production
5. Deepen the circular economy design of organic livestock production
6. Transform European diets by looking for solutions for organic food plant-based meat substitutes
7. Defining “organic diets” for highest health and sustainability outcomes
8. Investigate the impact of organic production methods on the soil, plant, animal, and human microbiome

Research priorities for EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” identified are:

1. Set up a network of organic regenerative living labs
2. Establish a demonstration network of on-farm soil biodiversity protection
3. Improve sustainable nutrient management in organic farming

Organic and agroecological farming offers multiple benefits for climate and biodiversity, guaranteeing the health of both people and the planet. This makes them the best option to guarantee long-term food security considering the food system in its entirety.

Of course, it is important to continue improving what is already good. So, organic and other agroecological farming methods should receive proper funding under Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025-2027. This Work Programme will be key to reach the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and the EU Organic Action Plan’s targets, including reaching 25% organic farmland in Europe by 2030.

TP Organics is the European Technology Platform for Research & Innovation into Organics and Agroecology. IFOAM Organics Europe is a founding member and hosts its secretariat. Visit www.tporganics.eu for more information and follow @TPOrganics on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Download the position paper here.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports the creation and better diffusion of excellent knowledge and technologies.

EU Missions are a new way to bring concrete solutions and put research and innovation into a new role, combined with new forms of governance and collaboration, as well as by engaging citizens. The EU Commission coordinates the EU Missions which support priorities such as the European Green Deal and the Soil Mission is a flagship initiative of the Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas.