New Scottish organic producer board to guide sector

A new Scottish organic producer board is set to guide the work of the Soil Association as the sector grows in Scotland.

The new board, chaired by Sarah Morbey, owner of Coldwells Farm, Insch, and a certified organic farmer for more than two decades, will work closely with the Soil Association UK organic producer board and guide the charity’s work in food and farming north of the border.

See also: Soil Association dismay at static organic area

David McKay, co-director of Soil Association Scotland, said: “At a time when organic farming is on the rise in Scotland it is now vital we establish a Scottish organic producer board to give a voice to Scottish producers, with strong policy support from the Scottish government helping to drive six straight years of growth in the land area.”

The members of the Scottish organic producer board cover a broad range of organic businesses, including mixed livestock/arable, dairy and market garden with a mix of economic models from direct sales to supplying major supermarkets.

Sounding board  

The remit of the board includes acting as a “sounding board” for Soil Association Scotland policy and farming programme work, advising on current and future priorities for the organic sector in the country, and ensuring that the needs and concerns of Scottish organic farmers, growers, and food producers are addressed by the Soil Association and the wider organic movement. 

Mr McKay added that to strengthen links between organic producers in Scotland and the Soil Association Scotland charity, it was important that they had a dedicated board.

“The new board will help inform our work across our food and farming programmes and our policy influencing, while flagging key issues affecting the sector in Scotland,” he added.

Better links

Scottish Soil Association organic producers will be able to use the board to represent their views on organic policy, the market situation, public procurement of organic food, and new conditions for payments, such as the Whole Farm Plans.

Scottish organic producer board chairman Sarah Morbey said: “I have always looked for better links and understanding of the challenges facing Scottish organic farmers, growers and crofters from the UK Soil Association producer board.

“It’s exciting to see the formation of this board,” she added.