Archived press release

Organic action plan welcomed

29 July 2002

The Organic Targets Campaign, which includes Friends of the Earth, has been calling on the Government to set a 70% market share target by 2010, and is now calling on UK supermarkets to follow suit. Only 30% of organic produce currently sold in the UK is home-grown. According to a report today from the NFU, nearly a third of British organic farmers are currently losing money.

Catherine Fookes, co-ordinator of the Organic Targets Campaign, and Organic Action Plan advisory panelist, said:

"After three years hard campaigning I am delighted that the Government has agreed to ensure that seventy per cent of organic produce sold in this country should come from UK farmers, and produced an action plan to help them achieve it. With Government support our organic farmers can now begin to compete with the rest of Europe. But the Government must also produce a timetable for reaching its organic target, and ensure that UK farmers are adequately rewarded for the organic food they produce."

Sandra Bell, Food Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

"At long last the Government is proposing the sort of action needed for UK farmers to really benefit from the organic boom. This is good news for British farmers, consumers and the environment. But we need adequate funding to make it happen. Supermarkets also have a crucial role to play. They must pay farmers a fair price for the organic food they produce, and follow the lead of Waitrose and Sainsbury's by setting targets for reducing their use of imported organic food."

"GM crops remain a threat to organic farming. The Government must not undo its good work by allowing GM crops to be commercially grown in the UK."

Key features of the plan include:

• An objective for British organic producers to achieve similar market share levels to conventional producers (currently around 70 per cent);
• On going payments to organic farmers who have completed conversion;
• Encouraging public sector consumers, such as schools and hospitals, to buy more locally-supplied organic produce.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust