The Commission Opens Applications for the 4th Edition of the EU Organic Awards
The Commission invites applications for the EU Organic Awards, recognizing key players in the organic value chain who improve organic food production and consumption. From February 11 to April 27, 2025, any EU entity with a leading project enhancing the availability and affordability of organic products can apply in categories like best organic farmer, best organic region, and more.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, stated: Organic farming is crucial for sustainable and resilient food production. The EU Organic Awards celebrate the innovation driving this transformation. I urge passionate individuals to apply and showcase their projects. The achievements recognized this year will inspire future advancements in organic agriculture across the European Union.
Organic farming is vital for protecting the environment, climate, biodiversity, and animal welfare, providing high-quality food with minimal environmental impact. Its essential for developing sustainable food systems throughout the EU.
More information is available online.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel: +32 2295 45 78; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel: +32 2 296 33 03)
Commission Clears Acquisition of Biocomposites by Novo Holdings and TA Associates
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Matrix Topco Limited (‘Biocomposites’) of the UK by Novo Holdings A/S of Denmark and TA Associates Management L.P. (‘TA Associates’) of the US.
The transaction primarily relates to the healthcare sector, notably the development of calcium compounds and specialty polymer products for surgical use.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commissions competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.11853.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
President von der Leyen and Members of the College at the Munich Security Conference
The 2025 Munich Security Conference takes place from 14 to 16 February. This conference provides a platform for discussing global security challenges, including governance, democratic resilience, and climate security, as well as the state of the international order and Europes role in the world.
The Commissions delegation will be led by President Ursula von der Leyen and include Executive Vice-Presidents Teresa Ribera and Henna Virkkunen, High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas, and several Commissioners.
On the eve of the conference, Commissioner Hoekstra delivered a keynote speech on the EUs role in a multipolar world. Commissioner Kubilius spoke on issues related to space security and discussed future efforts to strengthen European defence industry.
Today, at 14:00 CET, President von der Leyen will deliver a keynote speech on the EUs global role. Follow it live on EBS.
Executive Vice-President Ribera will discuss clean energy and clean tech. Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will address issues related to cybersecurity, disinformation, and artificial intelligence. High Representative/Vice-President Kallas will speak on the importance of the UN and the EUs role in stabilizing restless regions. Commissioner Dombrovskis will participate in a discussion on simplifying regulation and the impact of the current geopolitical situation on European economies. Commissioner Šuica will participate in a discussion on the Middle East and the European Unions cooperation with partners in the Mediterranean and the Gulf. Commissioner Hoekstra will participate in a discussion on climate cooperation in a warming planet. Commissioner Kubilius will discuss European defence and security, and Commissioner Zaharieva will participate in a discussion on the race for tech dominance. Commissioners Šuica, Kubilius, Kos and Brunner will attend a dinner on transatlantic relations.
On Saturday, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen will participate in a discussion on the impact of AI on geopolitics, while Commissioner Šefčovič will address issues related to trade and security. High Representative/Vice-President Kallas will attend the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting. She will be awarded the Ewald von Kleist Award and deliver a speech on pressing security issues. Commissioner Dombrovskis will discuss economic resilience, and Commissioner Kubilius will participate in discussions on cyber and AI innovation, European defence, and Ukraines future. Commissioner Lahbib will participate in a discussion on the global gender backlash and Commissioner Roswall will deliver a keynote speech on mineral supply chains.
On Sunday, Commissioner Kos will participate in a discussion on the EUs enlargement policy.
Throughout the conference, College members will also hold bilateral meetings. More details are available in the calendar of weekly activities of the members of the College.
Audiovisual coverage will be available on EBS. More information on the events and their participants can be found in the official programme of the Munich Security Conference.
(For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 460 76 14 21; Pedro Fonseca Moniz – Tel.: +32 460 76 14 96)
Calendar from Monday 17 February 2025 to Sunday 23 February 2025
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases