The Group came together to identify ways in which the role of the organic producer in the organic value chain can be strengthened through cooperation. During the two thematic group (TG) meetings members took stock of the policy & regulatory framework; identified the key enabling conditions and barriers to strengthen the role of organic producers; discussed policy experiences aimed at growing the organic value chain and identified potential areas of intervention that can support collective actions across the organic value chain and strengthen the role of organic farmers. The following sets out the Group’s conclusions on and recommendations for strengthening the organic value chain through cooperation. The narrative includes examples to illustrate the points made. The Group acknowledged the vital role of the EU in supporting organic production and consumption. Significant opportunities for growth in the organic market at scale are anticipated given EU targets to increase the area under organic production across the EU.  To that end, an increased role for the CAP is foreseen in areas such as new entrants, succession, cooperation, processing, promotion, innovation and knowledge exchange as well as payments for conversion/maintenance. There was a strong consensus that National policies, plans, and programmes such as CAP Strategic Plans, Organic Action Plans, Food Policies, and industry strategies have a crucial role to play in bringing everyone together from across the value chain to ensure there is the capacity and wherewithal to drive change and stimulate actions that will secure growth opportunities for organic production and organic markets. The examples overleaf highlight some approaches to Organic Policies by Member States. Members also acknowledged that a host of broader socio-economic issues (often longstanding) such as access to land, depopulation, and lack of services will impact on efforts to increase organic production, develop new markets, and attract new entrants. To this end, the group agreed that it is critical that public policy (from local, regional, national, and EU) adequately takes into account and integrates these various facets when thinking about value chains.