Organic farmers slam minister
12 June 2000
Organic farmers slam minister
by Donald MacPhail
ORGANIC campaigners say government boasts about the massive expansion of its conversion scheme ring hollow because there is no cash left for this year.
More than 1200 farmers have successfully applied for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) launched last April, the government said on Monday (12 June).
Agriculture minister Elliot Morley said 100,000 hectares would be approved for entry into the scheme — an upward revision from an expected 85,000ha.
The statistics are slight increases on figures Mr Morley released in January, and a big rise on conversions under the old aid system in the previous five years.
Between 1994 and 2000 some 425 farmers cultivating 17,505 hectares were approved at a cost of just under 3m under the old Organic Aid Scheme.
The Soil Association, which met the minister in Bristol on Monday (12 June), is calling for the new organic farming scheme to be given a cash boost.
OFS funds have been exhausted for this year and the association, which represents organic farmers, wants the money to meet demand from producers.
A spokesman said: “We want an immediate re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme and a genuine commitment from the government to address the need for long-term environmental stewardship grants for organic farmers.”
Britain is the only European state not to have an active organic scheme, and this has led to higher prices and imports grabbing 70% of the market.
Earlier, Mr Morley said: “I am delighted that the new commitment to organics from the government has been playing such a key role in boosting interest in the sector.”
Under the scheme, land eligible for the Area Aid Payment Scheme (AAPS) attracts 450/ha (182/acre) rather than 250/ha (101/acre) previously paid over the five-year conversion period.
Organic campaigners criticised the OFS after it was massively oversubscribed on its launch and quickly exhausted its 6.2m budget.
After heavy lobbying, in October farm minister Nick Brown found another 10m for the scheme but this ran out a month later.
In December, Mr Brown announced a “seven-year plan” which allocated 140m to organic conversion.
Demand in Britain for organic produce has increased by 40% in each of the last two years, but still accounts for no more than 2% of food sales.
Less than 2% of land is under organic cultivation.