Brussels, Mar 6 — Agriculture ministers from European Union member states on Monday approved a new organic produce deal with Chile, announced the European Council.

In a press release, the EC said the deal — the first of this kind with a Latin American country — would allow the two parties to recognize their rules and control systems as equivalent, meaning organic produce from the EU could be sold in Chile, and vice versa.

“This agreement with Chile will give a boost to EU organic production and exports, and so help generate growth and create jobs,” said the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes, adding that the Council warmly welcomed the move.

The EC said the deal was the first of a new generation of organic trade agreements for the EU, though it still needs to be approved by the European Parliament.

The Council hoped the agreement would encourage the trade of organic products, thus enhancing the development of the sector within the EU.

“It also aims at improving protection for the respective organic logos, and enhancing regulatory cooperation between the EU and Chile on issues related to organic production,” said the EC statement.

The deal included European products including unprocessed vegetables, live animals, unprocessed animal products, and aquaculture products.

It will also allow for the creation of co-operation systems, information exchanges and frameworks within which disputes related to the organic trade could be settled. —EFE