IFOAM Organics Europe has warned that the widespread use of “regenerative” risks diverting attention and resources away from recognised solutions like organic
IFOAM Organics Europe has published a joint statement with farmers’ organisations, environmental NGOs and civil society groups, warning against the “misleading use” of “regenerative” agriculture in corporate branding and EU policy initiatives.
“What is called ‘regenerative’ can include highly degenerative practices masked by a few cosmetic measures,” the statement points out.
The signatories argue that regenerative claims risk “diverting political attention, public resources and market recognition” away from genuinely transformative and publicly accountable solutions already being implemented across Europe.
Millions of farmers are already building resilient food systems rooted in agroecological and organic principles, the signatories stress, delivering concrete environmental and social benefits through credible, transparent and accountable approaches.
“Organic farming has for decades delivered on the principles now broadly also associated with the regeneration of our soils and agro-ecosystem, through a legally defined, holistic and publicly verified framework, said Jan Plagge, president of IFOAM Organics Europe. “The concern lies with undefined narratives that allow input-intensive models, continued reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, or weak environmental practices to be marketed as sustainability, and not with farmers who are genuinely improving soil health, biodiversity and resilience. Such narratives risk undermining both farmers’ efforts and consumer trust.”
“The issue is not whether farmers use the word regenerative, but whether EU policy and markets reward real transformation or vague claims,” said Eduardo Cuoco, director of IFOAM Organics Europe. “Public support, sustainability reporting and corporate sourcing strategies must be based on clear criteria, public accountability and verifiable benefits for ecosystems. Organic and agroecological systems already offer credible pathways for this transition; they should not be weakened by undefined concepts that allow business-as-usual practices to be rebranded as sustainability.”
The statement calls on EU policymakers and market actors to support coherent transition pathways, while strengthening environmental standards and consumer trust.
“Europe must ensure that actions speak louder than words and that future transitions remain credible, transparent, grounded in the public interest, and anchored in verifiable and publicly governed approaches,” the statement reads.
