When EU protection rules on the use of the wording "organic" were introduced in August 2009, a period of almost three years was set for older farms to make a full transition to the new EU rules.
Following a request for a further transition period, the Commission has now decided to grant an extension of 18 months.
During this period, farmers which produce under nationally approved rules rather than under EU rules will not be permitted to use the EU logo for organic products.
This will allow consumers to distinguish between those who do and those who do not apply the EU rules in the period up to January 1st 2015, as of which full EU rules will apply.
