Parliament adopts law on labeling of organic products

A total of 237 MPs voted for the respective bill (No. 5448-d) at second reading and as a whole on Tuesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

The law defines the basic principles and requirements for organic production, circulation and labeling of organic products, the principles of legal regulation of organic production, the circulation of organic products and the functioning of the organic products market, legal framework for the activities of central executive authorities, organic market players and the areas of state policy in these areas.

"The law of Ukraine on the production and circulation of organic agricultural products and raw materials, which is in force today, does not ensure the proper functioning of the organic market, which creates a favorable environment for the introduction of counterfeit organic products into circulation and helps avoid liability for violations of legislation in this area. This affects negatively the protection of consumer rights and is considered unfair competition among business entities. The essential disadvantage of the current law is also its non-compliance with the legislation of the European Union. The bill No. 5448-d, which was finalized for second reading, solves all these issues," deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian Policy and Land Relations Oleksandr Bakumenko said, while presenting the revised document.

In particular, he specified that the law provides for certification of the production process itself, not the final product, which complies with EU legislation. According to Bakumenko, such an approach will guarantee consumers confidence in the quality of products labeled as organic.

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