“The so-called organic Spanish tomatoes are not edible!” This is the claim made by French politician Ségolène Royal on January 30th on BFMTV. According to the former minister and presidential candidate, “Spanish organic products are fake organic” and Spanish fruit and vegetables “do not meet French standards.” These comments have angered Spanish producers, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who invited Ségolène Royal to “come to Spain to see for herself.”
“Agence Bio reaffirms that there is no such thing as true or false organic”
In response to the former minister's comments, Agence Bio reaffirmed that “agricultural or processed products are certified organic if they are produced in full compliance with European organic specifications. These specifications define the rules governing organic production methods, which are common to the entire European Union.
So whether it comes from France, Spain or any other European country, an organic product is organic!”
French organic organizations “condemn the defamatory remarks about Spanish organic production”
FNAB, Ifoam France, Synabio, Ecocert and Interbio Nouvelle Aquitaine have stated in a joint press release that “there are no organic fruit and vegetables on the French market that do not comply with EU standards.” The French organic organizations announced that they joined Ecovalia in condemning the statements of former French minister Ségolène Royal about Spanish organic products.
Spanish organic association Ecovalia takes legal action
In a press release, the Spanish organic production trade association (Ecovalia) pointed out that the same rules apply in France and in Spain. It also announced that it is taking legal action against the former minister before the General State Prosecutor's Office and the European Commission. “We cannot allow unfounded statements to ruin our sector,” according to Ecovalia president Álvaro Barrera.
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