Organic boom not likely to benefit UK producers
Organic boom not likely to benefit UK producers
By Donald MacPhail
UNPRECEDENTED growth forecast for the UK organic market offers little benefit for the countrys organic producers, warns a farmers leader.
A survey by market analyst Datamonitor predicts that UK consumers are set to become Europes biggest spenders on organics, with sales rocketing from £769m in 2000 to almost £3bn by 2005.
But Oliver Dowding, chairman of the NFU organic working group, says UK producers must get the same levels of aid enjoyed by EU competitors if they are to take advantage of the opportunity.
"This is good news for European farmers but its questionable how much it will benefit UK farmers because were not competing on a level playing field."
Mr Dowding called for an organic stewardship scheme under which farmers would continue to receive aid after they converted to organic production.
Datamonitor says food scares, resistance to genetically modified crops and growing interest in healthy eating are fuelling demand for organics, but warns that this may not last.
It predicts that organic niche positioning will be eroded once traceability and quality certification becomes more widespread among conventional produce.
But this was rejected by a spokesman for organic regulators the Soil Association.
"I dont think that would affect the organic market," he said.