EUROPE GOING ORGANIC

(ENS)-Agriculture ministers from 12 European countries havecalled for a plan to boost organic farming, marking a breakthrough forthe European organic movement. The ministers signed what is beingcalled the Copenhagen Declaration, which acknowledges a “growingconsumer interest for certified organic products.” The German agminister targeted 20 percent organic agriculture in his country withinten years. Germany’s initiative virtually guarantees that the issuewill have a much higher political profile at the European Union level.The action plan will cover environmental protection, animal welfare,consumer behavior, market development, food safety, food quality,regulation, certification and labeling and research and internationaltrade. For a discussion of organic farming in Germany visitwww.verbraucherministerium.de