FARMERS AND consumers can have their say on the future direction of organic research at a series of workshops being held across the UK.

The meetings are being run on behalf of DEFRA and the outcomes will be used by the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) as a base for future organic research.

“This is a new approach and it should have a dramatic impact on moving organic research forward,” said Robin Fransella of DEFRA’s organic strategy branch.

“We genuinely want to find out what people perceive is difficult, what opportunities lie ahead and how research and development can approach them.”

Outcomes from the workshops will not be made public until the consultation is complete – expected to be this summer, according to Elm Farm Research Centre, which is leading the partnership running the events.

Each meeting lasts around three hours and places are limited to 60-80 per event, so anyone interested is encouraged to book early.

Further details can be found at www.efrc.com, or input can also be given by email to workshop@efrc.com.