18m behind organic conversion

2 November 2000



18m behind organic conversion

By FWi staff

FARMERS wishing to convert to organic production will be apply to apply for 18 million in grants from January next year, the government has announced.

The Organic Farming Scheme will re-open for applications from 2 January, 2001, junior agriculture minister Elliot Morley said on Thursday (2 November).

Mr Morley said he wanted to bring more land into organic production. The 18m budget for 2001/02 is 50% more than expenditure in 2000/01, he added.

“We believe firmly in consumer choice and we want to see that consumers are able to buy organic produce if they wish to,” said Mr Morley.

Under the schemes last round, which closed in November 1999, 1270 farmers were allocated 30m to move to organic production, he added.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the deadline for applying for aid with an organic inspection body will be extended from three months to six months.

Mr Morley said this would facilitate applications to the scheme. New applications will be accepted as quickly as possible, he said.