Soil Association Scotland says it is the “best time in decades” for farmers in Scotland to adopt nature-friendly farming by applying for funding to convert their farmland to organic.
The window for the Agri Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) opens on Tuesday 23 February, just weeks after the UK’s first nationally funded Scottish Organic Action Plan was launched by Scotland Food and Drink.
The plan was launched to help meet the Scottish Government’s goals to boost organic farmland, which is managed to high environmental and animal welfare standards including no harmful pesticides.
Soil Association Scotland co-director David McKay said: “In the past few years we have seen a rise in farmers seeking organic certification.
“This is tied to multiple reasons, from consistent policy support for conversion, high level political targets for growing organic land, to consumers increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of organic products.
“Recent statistics reveal that in Scotland, while the market share is still small, organic food and drink has grown by 20.6% in five years. We believe right now is the best time in decades for farmers in Scotland to grab onto a market that is only growing.”
The annual opportunity closes on Saturday 20 June for combined applications and on Saturday 31 July for organic farmers. It is set to contribute to the Scottish Government’s goal of doubling organic farmland to more than 200,000 hectares this year.
In addition to AECS, organic farmers and crofters will automatically be eligible for government support via the Basic Payment Scheme. Organic systems are consistent wit animal health and welfare and integrated pest management areas from the whole-farm plan, due to requirements in organic for farmers to deliver higher animal welfare and use natural solutions over pesticides.
Soil Association Scotland and Soil Association Certification will be supporting the Organic Action Plan with a series of activities to help develop new markets to improve the accessibility of organic.
This will include working with retailers and public settings to increase the range of Scottish organic food products available in stores, schools and hospitals across the UK.
Work will also involve the development of a “basket” of commonly bought food products that are grown in Scotland but have limited or no local or organic supply chains into the wholesale market, with a view to breaking down those barriers.