Response to Spain’s request to prohibit refining of organic (extra) virgin olive oil in Europe

MVO and BioNederland oppose Spain’s ban because lawful physical refining improves safety, stability, and high-heat usability of organic olive oil without enabling fraud under strict EU rules.
A ban would reduce consumer choice, shorten shelf life, raise waste, and hit SMEs—undermining EU sustainability and organic-growth goals.
It adds no integrity or price benefit (chemical refining is already banned; refining often costs more) and would widen gaps with global standards while setting a harmful precedent for other organic oils.