Area under organic farming

The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards SDG 2 on ending hunger and malnutrition; which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under the 'European Green Deal'.

SDG 2 - among other things - aims to ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. Sustainable and resilient food production systems are a key factor in achieving this goal. Organic farming is a method of production that puts the highest emphasis on environmental protection and, with regard to livestock production, animal welfare considerations. It avoids or largely reduces the use of synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, additives and medical products.

Indicator can be considered as part of global SDG indicator 2.4.1 ""Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture"". While organic farming is not explicitly mentioned in the Agenda 2030, the EU considers organic farming as a method of production, which puts the highest emphasis on environmental protection and, with regard to livestock production, animal welfare considerations. It avoids or largely reduces the use of synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, additives and medical products. The production of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their use in animal feed are forbidden. It is as a part of a sustainable farming system and a viable alternative to the more traditional approaches to agriculture.

The EU Farm to Fork Strategy for sustainable food is a key component of the European Green Deal. The strategy aims to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides, reduce nutrient losses, and reduce the use of fertilisers and antibiotics. The Farm to Fork strategy sets the target of achieving 25 % of the EU’s total farmland under organic farming by 2030.