TP Organics Urges Broader Competitiveness in EU Research
The organic farming platform calls for stronger support for organic agriculture in Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Organic Food
TP Organics, one of the European Technology Platforms recognised by the European Commission, adopted a position calling for a broader vision of competitiveness and stronger support for organic agriculture. The stance responds to European Parliament ITRE committee positions on Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund.
Why it matters
The ITRE reports recognise agriculture as a priority and mention organic farming, but the compromise does not guarantee the research investment needed for organic farming's full potential. Organic farming and agroecology are presented as contributors to resilience through healthier soils, biodiversity protection, resource efficiency and reduced reliance on external inputs.
TP Organics is one of approximately 35 active European Technology Platforms recognised by the European Commission, and a public statement it helped back was signed by 29 EU organisations in May 2026. The ITRE compromise does not guarantee the research investment needed for organic farming's full potential, and trilogue negotiations are not yet underway.
The players
TP Organics
TP Organics is a European Technology Platform focused on organic farming and agroecology research and innovation, recognised by the European Commission.
European Parliament ITRE Committee
The Industry, Research and Energy committee of the European Parliament is responsible for shaping EU positions on Horizon Europe and related research funding.
The details
TP Organics opposes the proposed Lead Expert approach in Horizon Europe and calls on Member States and the European Parliament to broaden the European Competitiveness Fund's definition of competitiveness. The organisation published a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for 2027-2034 in November 2025.
Timeline
May 2026: Public statement signed by 29 EU organisations issued
September 2026: TP Organics reviewed policy event on resilient food systems
November 11, 2026: TP Organics press release issued on ITRE positions
Culture Shift
The push reflects a wider policy debate in Brussels over whether Horizon Europe should prioritise agroecological approaches as food resilience moves up the EU agenda. The outcome will shape how organic farming competes for research funds against other priorities in the next programming period.
Shoppers buying organic produce may see long-term effects if EU research funding expands support for organic farming methods. The policy outcome could influence how organic food is grown and priced over the coming years.
The takeaway
Organic farming contributes to resilience through healthier soils and biodiversity, so how EU research funds are allocated will matter for what organic food looks like in the future. Readers can follow the Horizon Europe negotiations as they move toward 2027.
What happens next
Interinstitutional (trilogue) negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council are expected to start in January 2027, subject to progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food to see how sustainable farming is shaping global food systems.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tporganics.
