England’s organic farming sector is set for a decade of development under a new government-industry action plan, with an ambition to increase the proportion of agricultural land managed organically from around 3.4% to towards 10% by 2036.

Published today, the Organic Action Plan for England (OAPE) outlines how government and the organic sector will work together from 2026 to 2036 and beyond. Developed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the English Organic Forum (EOF), it forms part of the wider Farming Roadmap 2050: Growing England’s Future.

The roadmap recognises the contribution organic systems can make to improving soil health, reducing reliance on chemical and synthetic inputs, and supporting biodiversity.

Welcoming the new report, the Environment Secretary, Angela Eagle, said: “People are buying more organic food, and we want English farmers to be in a strong position to respond to that demand. Our Organic Action Plan for England is about opening up opportunities across the sector, from backing farmers already producing organic food to helping others decide whether it could work for their businesses. Demand for organic food is growing. By strengthening the market here at home, we can help more English farmers benefit from the demand on our shelves.”

Unlocking opportunities for farmers
Soil Association Chief Executive Helen Browning said: “Organic farming is a key solution to tackling the climate and nature crises without taking land out of food production. It’s great to see government backing organic with an action plan that will help us build farming systems that are less dependent on harmful chemicals and more resilient to climate change, boosting nature and safeguarding food security in the process. We’re excited to work with government to unlock economic opportunities by helping more British farmers and food businesses meet consumer demand for organic, reducing our reliance on imports.”

Chris Stopes, Co-chair of the English Organic Forum and Policy Advisor to Organic Farmers & Growers CIC, said: “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.”

Growing domestic production to meet demand
The plan comes as consumer demand for organic products continues to expand, with UK organic retail sales reaching £3.9 billion in 2025.

The government and industry want English farmers and growers to capture a greater share of this market by increasing domestic production and strengthening supply chains.

The OAPE identifies public procurement as offering significant further opportunities. Organic produce qualifies under the Higher Environmental Production Standards within the Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services. The Food for Life Served Here programme demonstrates existing demand, with 22 catering providers spending £7.5 million on organic produce in 2024.

Increasing awareness of organic certification among consumers and public sector buyers is seen as key to encouraging greater uptake of English produce.

Support for farmers considering conversion
The OAPE recognises that while organic farming is not suitable for every business, it can provide access to valuable new markets and reduce exposure to the costs of inputs such as artificial fertilisers and pesticides. It also emphasises the fact that organic production can deliver wider environmental benefits, including healthier soils, cleaner water, increased wildlife and high standards of animal welfare. It points out that Defra-funded research has identified links between organic farming and improvements in biodiversity and soil health, reduced chemical exposure, and greater support for climate adaptation.

The Government says the new plan is designed to complement existing agri-environment schemes. Since 2024, the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has included options for organic conversion and maintenance. As part of the OAPE’s first-year commitments, Defra will maintain and clearly explain the organic offer within Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.

Beyond financial support, the plan addresses practical barriers to conversion, including access to information, advice, peer networks and established routes to market.

Opportunities across farming sectors
Further work will examine expansion opportunities in horticulture, arable farming, dairy, red meat and poultry. Better data on organic production, trade and purchasing will help farmers assess market demand and make informed decisions about conversion or expansion. For processors and buyers, clearer information on domestic supply should help identify opportunities to source and sell more English organic products.

A decade-long partnership
Defra and the EOF will jointly oversee delivery of the plan, which was developed with input from organic producers and sector leaders across the country.

Although focused primarily on England, some actions will involve partners elsewhere in the UK, with elements of the programme extending beyond 2036.

The Government says the key challenge will be turning the plan’s ambitions into practical opportunities for farm businesses. With organic retail sales already worth £3.9 billion annually, the government and industry will be looking to translate growing consumer demand into increased domestic production through clearer policy support, better advice and stronger market connections.

The five intended outcomes

1. Reduce reliance on imports: progressively close the gap between imports and exports of organic goods by increasing domestic production and manufacturing.
2. Expand organic farmland: establish an ambition to increase organically managed land in England to 10%.
3. Measure environmental benefits: assess organic production and consumption against the government’s ten Environmental Improvement Plan goals, including reductions in fertiliser and pesticide use.
4. Increase public procurement: achieve a sustained rise in the share of organic food purchased by public sector organisations.
5. Improve understanding: increase knowledge of organic production among farmers, growers and consumers.