JUST OVER half the Scottish producers surveyed about whether they would carry on farming organically expressed a short-term commitment, with almost 40% responding they were prepared to continue with organic production long term.

More than 600 producers were interviewed as part of the survey by Scottish Agricultural College researcher Caroline Bayliss. In the short term, 17% said they were ready to go back to conventional farming and 28% were uncertain.

However, 38% were uncertain of the future within the next decade and 24% were planning to give up their organic status.