“Organic is a priority for this Government,” the Defra Minister Stephen Morgan told a noticeably buoyed up organic industry gathering in London today. 

The Minister made the comment during his welcoming address at this year’s Soil Association Trade Conference, which took place the day after the Government published its eagerly anticipated Organic Action Plan for England. 

He told delegates: “Today’s theme of ‘a green light for growth’ comes at an exciting time. Organics is a priority for this government, and we recognise the contribution the sector can make to profitable farming, a healthy and natural environment and growth across the food supply chain. 

“The new Organic Action plan for England sets out how the Government and the organic industry will work together over the next 10 years with a clear focus on growth. This plan delivers on our commitment which we made in the farming roadmap, turning a long-term vision of a resilient and profitable farming sector into action, by backing a growing organic sector and giving farmers the clarity they need to invest.

“The plan recognises a clear opportunity. The UK organic market is now worth £3.9 billion, but the proportion of organic farmland in England has remained largely static. We want more English farmers and businesses to be able to respond to the demand for organic. 

“The plan includes an ambition to grow the organically managed land in England by 10%. It also aims to strengthen domestic production and manufacturing, while increasing this share of organic food in public sector purchasing, improve understanding of organic production and assessing its contribution to the government environmental goals.

“The prospective UK-EU SPS agreement provides another important opportunity. It will help to facilitate trade, reduce barriers and create new opportunities for organic businesses to export to the EU.

“Publication is only the start. Delivery will depend upon government and industry working together, improving information and guidance for producers, building stronger supply chains, identifying market opportunities and helping more people understand what organic certification stands for.”

Main image: Defra Minister Stephen Morgan delivers his video welcome message