By growing together we are facing enormous changes in agriculture and especially in rural areas all over Europe. This is challenge not only for the existing EC countries but also for all CEE countries. Facing the changes in agriculture we know there will be a new situation regarding jobs and the pressure on the natural resources particularly for the accession countries will be growing rapidly. Organic farming can help to:

• save jobs and net product in rural areas,
• create market niches and alternative sources of income,
• preserve biodiversity,
• support soil-, water and climate protection as well as
• reduce costs for market regulation measures that are carried out as a result of surplus production.

Know-how-transfer, representation of interests, building-up of recognised certification systems and the development of market instruments and sales strategies are the basic requirements for using these potentials of organic framing. At the same time they serve as a contribution to a higher level of quality, food security and market orientation in organic production throughout Europe. The organic farming experiences already gained in the various accession countries underline the positive impact organic farming has on nature protection, biodiversity, social issues and the market.