The European Union's agriculture ministers met in Brussels on Monday  to approve the conclusions on the EU's organic action plan, according to which 25 percent of agricultural land should be used for organic farming by 2030.

Currently, 7 percent of Croatia’s agricultural land is under organic farming, and in recent years the percentage has been increasing. Agriculture Minister Marija Vuckovic warned that it was not only important to increase the area but also the production of organic food.

“Our particular structural challenge is to link the increase in area with an increase in production of organic food,” Vuckovic said.

She said Croatia was already working on a national action plan for organic farming, which would be finalized by the end of the year.

Although we can be proud of the rapid growth of the land under organic farming, it is still just a potential, not a real strength, the minister noted.

We should all strive after a jointly defined percentage of land under organic farming, but Croatia constantly stresses it is necessary to recognize the specific characteristics of each country so as not to jeopardize all three pillars of sustainability – economic, social and environmental. Organic farming can be a great opportunity for Croatia, for a small and open economy, which should stand out with its specific characteristics and base its competitive strength on what it has, on its advantages, on great biodiversity, the environment, quality preservation, protected labels, organic farming, the minister said.