Organic Centre
Waleshas organised an open day to encourage
more organic producers to rear pullets ahead of the 2011 ban on the
use of non-organic pullets.
The event, which is part of the Farming Connect Organic
Development Programme will be led by Liz Findlay of
Nantclyd Organics.
She has been producing organic eggs at Nantclyd, near Aberystwyth,
for over 20 years and began rearing pullets about four years
ago.
The meeting follows recent discussions of the Welsh Organic
Poultry Discussion Group, where producers identified difficulties
in sourcing organic pullets as one of the biggest problems facing
the sector.
The UK organic standards require producers to use organic reared
pullets, but as the supply of organic pullets in the UK is very
restricted, producers can buy non-organic pullets if they cannot
find organic birds.
Producers must have prior permission from their certification
body to do this, and pullets must be less than 18 weeks old and
have been reared to organic feed and veterinary standards. However,
the derogation is set to end on 31 December 2011, after which time
all pullets will have to be organic.
"Improving the supply of organic pullets is a massive challenge"
said Tony Little, of Organic Centre Wales.
"Fortunately, a number of farmers have expressed an interest in
rearing pullets themselves, both for their own use and to supply
other producers, but they need more information to get started.
They need to know the likely demand within Wales, the level of
capital investment required and the profitability of such an
enterprise. They also need training in production techniques and
pullet management."
Organic Centre Wales will be tackling these issues over the next
six months or so using resources from the new
Better
Organic Business Links project and the Farming Connect Organic
Development Programme.
Specific activities will include producer surveys, interviews
with certification bodies, on farm events, workshops and
factsheets. For more information or to book your place, contact Mr
Little on 01970 621 632.
