As demand for organic products continues to grow among Europeans, the supply of sustainably manufactured and animal-friendly foods is struggling to keep up, experts indicate, warning that a new EU amendment could widen this gap. EurActiv Germany reports.

For several years, the market for organic food products has been booming and not only in Germany, the pioneer of organic farming. Europe has seen the market quadruple in size over the past decade.

According to EU numbers, around 5.5% of total farmland within the bloc is used for organic cultivation. But in recent years, the supply of organic products has not been able to satisfy growing demand.

Organic farming is associated with a greater cost than conventional agriculture techniques and at the same timeyields are lower and subject to more fluctuation.

And these paradoxes could become more severe, critics warn. Several even predict a declining trend in organic agriculture due to stricter EU regulations. Shortly after the Jean-Claude Juncker Commission took office in Brussels, incoming Agriculture Minister Phil Hogan announced his intention to rework the EUs Council Regulation on Organic Agriculture.

>>Read: EU reforms organic farming

In March 2014, the European Commission adopted legislative proposals for a new Regulation. The measure, which is expected to take effect in 2017, contains stricter rules for the production and import of organic products. As a result, it is likely to make it more difficult for conventional farmers to shift to organic agriculture practices, or even cause many organic producers to switch back to conventional farming.

More research instead of stricter regulation

In Germany, displeasure over the new guidelines is considerable. Already in October of last year, all party factions in the Bundestags Committee on Food and Agriculture expressed clear opposition to a complete overhaul of the EU Regulation.

Organic agriculture in Europe has already been progressing far too slowly, critics complained, saying chances for development should not be hindered by excessive legal barriers.

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New EU regulation could curb organic farming