European negotiators reached agreement on organic farming rules — after three years of trying.

The most contentious issues had been whether to set pesticide residue thresholds and establish limits on potted plants and demarcated beds in greenhouses. It appears that the issue concerning pesticide thresholds, which had held up the agreement, has been shelved for four years.

Agreement was reached to postpone until four years after the new rules enter into force whether there should be pesticide-residue limits in organic products. A report will be issued four years after the entry into force of the new rules (by 2024), which “may be accompanied by a legislative proposal” to provide further harmonized rules concerning thresholds. Member States currently applying thresholds for non-authorized substances in organic food – such as pesticides – may continue to do so.

Current “equivalence” rules, requiring non-EU countries to comply with similar organic standards will be phased out within five years although the Commission could, for a renewable period of two years, allow imports of specific products, even if not fully compliant with EU standards.

The text needs to be approved by the Council, the Parliament, and EU agriculture ministers. The updated rules are to apply from July 1, 2020.