Option 25 - Maintenance of organic farming
What this is about
Organic farming seeks to work with natural processes using methods which are designed to achieve a sustainable production system with limited use of external inputs.
This option provides support to help existing organic producers to continue farming organically in order to provide environmental benefits. 
What this will achieve
Organic farming plays a valuable role in helping to protect and enhance the environment as well as assisting producers to meet consumer demand for organic products. Evidence has shown that there are significant biodiversity, pollution control, energy efficiency and soil protection benefits associated with organic farming.
What you must do
Requirements
- before applying for LMO you must already be farming the land organically and be registered as an organic producer with an approved organic Certification Body
- you must remain registered with an approved organic Certification Body for the duration of your 5 year commitment
- if during your 5 year commitment, you decide to register your land with a different organic Certification Body, you must do so before you de-register the land with the existing Certification Body, so that there is continuity of registration
- you must farm to recognised organic standards as laid out by EU Regulations
Who can apply
All land managers who are registered as farming organically prior to submitting their LMO application form and whose production unit or common grazings are registered with an approved organic Certification Body.
How to apply
Complete Section 3 of the LMO application form and columns L and M of your SAF Data Sheet using the following codes. The code for Arable land is LMOMOA, for Improved grassland, LMOMOI, for Fruit and vegetable land, LMOMOV and for Unimproved grassland/rough grazing, LMOMOF.
You must submit with your LMO application form a current valid certificate of organic registration and accompanying production schedule from an approved organic Certification Body. This must cover the land in your application.
Eligibility criteria
The minimum area of land you can apply for is 1 hectare. You should check that the land you propose to enter into the scheme is eligible. Further information on this can be found here.
You must continue to farm organically for the period of your commitment.
If you are applying for support for fruit and vegetable land, you must have a minimum of 2 years fruit and vegetable production on that land during the period of your commitment.
This option cannot be adopted on an area of land which is receiving payment under the Organic Aid Scheme (conversion or maintenance), the Rural Priorities, Conversion to and maintenance of organic farming options, LMO option 9, Wild Bird seed mix/Unharvested crop, option 17, Retention of winter stubbles or LMO option 24, Natural regeneration after cereals.
Also, you cannot claim support for membership of any of the organic certification schemes listed under LMO option 8, Membership of food quality assurance schemes.
Rate of support
This is a 5 year commitment. Support is available for 4 different land types.
We will pay £60 per hectare per year for arable, and fruit and vegetable land; £50 per hectare per year for improved grassland, and £5 per hectare per year for unimproved grassland/rough grazing. We will pay at the end of each year.
Inspections/Verification
The inspector will check
- the requirements of the option are being met (as detailed above under 'What you must do') by a visual assessment on the day of inspection
- compliance with organic farming standards
- organic Ceritification Body inspection reports and production schedule.
The organic Certification Body will visit your holding at least once a year to check that you are meeting the necessary organic farming standards. We may need to obtain a copy of these inspection reports for administration purposes, and in applying for this option you authorise the release of these reports to the Scottish Government.
You must comply with the requirements of cross compliance and the minimum requirements for fertiliser and plant protection products and you must avoid damaging or destroying any historic or archaeological features or areas.