The news comes as Downing Street has unveiled a new Organic Action Plan for England, which will seek to increase the nation’s organic farmland from around 3% today to 10% over the next decade.
This decision follows concerted lobbying, according to the English Organic Forum (EOF), which sees the move as an important step towards strengthening the UK’s food security.
Organic systems can help deliver better outcomes for soil, water, wildlife and animal welfare, the EOF said, with the plan set to help reduce reliance on imported food while expanding farming systems that avoid synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and pesticides.
Adrian Steele, co-chair of the English Organic Forum and Soil Association farming advisor, said: “An Organic Action Plan for England is a win for the UK’s food and farming system. It recognises that more organic land can help the government to deliver its wider environmental goals, from healthier soils and cleaner water to more biodiversity and less reliance on artificial inputs like pesticides.
“With growing consumer demand for organic often being met by imports, we have long called for a more joined-up approach that breaks down supply chain barriers and helps farmers meet that demand.”
He continued: “England has an innovative and entrepreneurial food and farming sector, and we welcome this plan which we hope will create the right conditions for organic farmers, growers and businesses to invest and thrive.”
The government’s decision to back England’s organic farming industry comes amid growing criticism of the UK’s lack of food resilience should a major natural or geopolitical incident disrupt supply chains.
The EOF says that organic systems build soil health and fertility, support greater diversity on farms and reduce dependency on imported synthetic inputs.
The organisation added that they can also help to create farming systems better able to withstand a changing climate while continuing to produce food.
In response to rising consumer demand for organic produce, another focus of the government’s plan will be to support farmers and tackle supply chain barriers to help secure markets for British organic food and drink.
Sos Stopes, co-chair of the English Organic Forum and policy advisor at Organic Farmers & Growers CIC, added: “It is encouraging to see the Organic Action Plan for England published. The English Organic Forum, representing the organic sector, has worked hard with Defra on the development of a credible plan.
“Defra’s leadership and the positive support of the Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle for growth in the organic sector is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the practical ways that organic farming helps deliver the government’s environmental ambitions.”
