MEP Katri Kulmuni (Renew, Finland) has asked the European Commission to assess whether removing the derogation for organic greenhouse production would undermine the goals of the EU organic regulation, warning that it could reduce domestic organic output in northern Europe and increase reliance on imports or conventional produce. The question, submitted on 15 July 2026, targets the specific challenges of Finland's northern climate, where limited daylight and cold conditions make open-field organic cultivation unviable for much of the year. Kulmuni argues that Finnish organic greenhouse production is local, small-scale, pesticide-free, and serves only the domestic market without distorting EU competition. She presses the Commission on two concrete points: first, whether ending the derogation would actually promote organic objectives if it leads to less domestic organic production; second, how the Commission would ensure consumer access to domestically produced organic greenhouse vegetables if the derogation is removed. The question signals a push to maintain the current flexibility for northern member states, pitting the EU's harmonisation drive against regional agricultural realities. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it prioritises uniform organic rules or accommodates northern climatic exceptions.
Source📩 Open question ↗
Asked byKatri Kulmuni (Renew)