Organic livestock to go on-line
15 August 2001
Organic livestock to go on-line
By FWi staff
A NEW database which can be used to help producers find organic breeding and store animals is to be set up by the Soil Association (SA).
The association, which offers professional and technical support to the sector, has devised a National Organics Livestock Database (NOLD).
The NOLD will list details of farms where stock is available under categories such as fully organic, converted, and animals reared under simultaneous conversion.
It will be available to SA licensees and producer members free of charge.
Phil Stocker, Soil Association head of agriculture, said the service was part of the associations plans to support development in the sector.
“We want to encourage long-lasting links between upland and lowland organic farms,” he said.
“Up until now sales have largely been through word of mouth but with over 4000 licensed farms in the UK thats clearly not the most efficient method.”
Mr Stocker said he wanted the database to be an essential resource for farmers looking for breeding stock or replacement animals.
It would be of particular value to people needing to restock after foot-and-mouth culling, he said.
The Soil Association has emphasised that the service is not available for the selling of finished stock or intended to replace specialist fieldman services.
- Start date for organic livestock markets, FWi, 27 September, 2000
- Move to set up marketing scheme for organic stock, FWi, 15 October, 1999
FREE NEWS UPDATE |