This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Stating the case for organic farming
27/09/2002
A stakeholder group to develop organic farming in Scotland is to be appointed.
Representing farming, organic and environmental interests, it will be appointed to identify action necessary to ensure the organic sector can fulfil its potential contribution to Scotland's agriculture strategy.
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie also announced new criteria for evaluating applications from farmers to join the Organic Aid Scheme, and other improvements to the operation of agri-environment schemes in Scotland.
The Minister said:
"The Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture clearly stated that the organic sector has a significant contribution to make to the promotion of environmentally-friendly and market-oriented agriculture.
"I want the stakeholder group to consider further action, which may be needed to join up the organic food chain, priorities for research, standards for organic certification appropriate to Scottish circumstances, and options for future Executive support for environmentally-friendly, market-oriented organic farming.
"Following a wide-ranging consultation earlier this year, I have also decided to introduce selection criteria for entry to the Organic Aid Scheme so that we can target support at the applications which provide the greatest benefit.
"I also intend, subject to EC approval, to introduce arrangements for Rural Stewardship Scheme capital payments to be paid annually rather than on a one-off basis. I expect this to enable me to approve a substantially higher number of RSS applications next year.
"I am grateful to the organic sector bodies for their help in drawing up the selection criteria for the Organic Aid Scheme but this is only the start of a process to secure the most effective targeting of the assistance which the Executive gives to the organic sector."
The Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, published in June 2001, includes a number of actions which the Scottish organic sector must undertake if it is to have a sustainable future. These include tailoring production to consumer demand, developing the supply chain and ensuring that organic standards are appropriate to Scottish conditions and avoid gold-plating.
To take this process forward, the Executive has decided to establish a stakeholder group to identify what specific actions need to be taken to ensure that the sector fulfils its potential in Scotland.
Specific membership of the stakeholder group is still to be determined, but representatives from the farming and food industry, the organic sector bodies and environmental interests will be invited to participate. Areas which the stakeholder group is expected to address include action that might be needed to join up the organic food chain, looking at the definition of appropriate minimum standards, advising on research priorities and advising on future options for Executive support for environmentally friendly market orientated organic farming.
It is anticipated that the group will complete its work within six months, leading to the publication of agreed actions to be taken to secure the development of the organic sector in Scotland.
The Executive has already given support to the development of the organic sector in Scotland, for instance:
- Over 413,000 hectares of land (7% of Scotland's agricultural land area) are in organic production or conversion in Scotland, of which over 314,000 hectares are in the Executive's Organic Aid Scheme which supports conversion of land to organic status.
- On the food chain side, the Executive's Processing and Marketing Grant Schemes give priority to projects which strengthen the organic food chain. Since last year around £1.45m has been awarded to organic projects including £375,000 to Bartlett and Sons (Airdrie) Ltd towards the cost of a pre-packing line for organic potatoes. The Executive have also funded publication of a 'Guide to the Marketing of Organic Food' which is designed to assist producers and processors to understand supply chain issues and to provide advice on how to exploit market opportunities.
- The Executive funds an advice helpline for organic producers, and people wanting to convert, through the Scottish Agricultural College.
As part of a suite of measures to improve the operation of agri-environment schemes, the Executive has also developed with the organic sector bodies in Scotland (the Scottish Organic Producers Association, the Soil Association and the Bio-dynamic Agricultural Association) selection criteria to be used in the evaluation of applications from farmers to join the Organic Aid Scheme. The purpose of the criteria is to target funding to those applications likely to deliver the maximum environmental benefit and lead to the production of marketable organic food for consumers. The use of these criteria is a temporary measure, pending further development of agri-environment schemes, on which the Executive will consult later this year.
Other changes proposed to the operation of agri-environment schemes following a consultation exercise earlier this year include annualising the cost of Rural Stewardship Scheme capital works over 5 years so that more applications can be fully funded each year, and strengthening the RSS's contribution to control of agricultural diffuse pollution.