Organic Action Plan
Research to support the development of the Scottish organic sector
5.1 The Scottish Executive already funds 25% of the Government research effort on organic food and farming in the UK. Recent and current SEERAD-funded research has included key factors in sustainable ley-arable farming systems and conversion from ley to arable; modelling weed population dynamics in organic agriculture; genetic resistance to disease in pesticide-free systems; and research on maintaining a competitive position in the Scottish organic fresh food market. The Executive has also published in January 2003 a study of public perceptions of food and farming which examines consumers' priorities for food purchasing.
5.2 Discussions in the Organics Stakeholder Group have identified possible topics for further research to help deliver this action plan, in particular to ensure a sound knowledge base about how organic farming methods in Scotland can best deliver biodiversity and environmental benefits; about the development of organic systems appropriate to Scottish circumstances (in particular to support the expansion of arable and mixed organic farming and the expansion of fruit and horticultural production); and information to help producers, processors and retailers to identify, influence and respond to market trends. The Group identified the importance of further research by the Food Standards Agency to quantify the claimed health and nutritional benefits of organic produce, e.g. the claimed higher mineral content of organic food. It also appears from discussions in the Organics Stakeholder Group that there may be relevant extant research which is not currently being applied.
Scottish Executive action
5.3 The immediate priority is to identify where the research gaps really are, and to ensure that existing research is disseminated where it is relevant to the development of the Scottish organic sector. The Executive is therefore commissioning a 'scoping study' which will review existing relevant research, signpost it to potential users, and identify research gaps which are potentially inhibiting the development of the Scottish organic sector.
5.4 In considering proposals for Executive-funded research on organic food and farming the Executive will give priority to proposals which help to implement this action plan and which fill acknowledged research gaps.
Timing
5.5 The scoping study will be commissioned in February, will be completed within 6 months, and will inform subsequent Scottish Executive research priorities in 2003 and beyond. The Scottish Executive is also considering what elements of research can be commissioned now, in the light of the Organics Stakeholder Group's views, to take forward priorities which can be pursued in advance of the outcome of the scoping study.