EC changes direction on organic feed

The NFU has welcomed the EC’s decision not to force organic poultry farmers to source the majority of their food from their own farms.

The EC had planned to require producers to grow 40% of mono-gastric and 70% of herbivore feed ­ingredients on their own holdings a proposal that would have proved difficult for British organic ­producers, few of whom grow their own feed.

However, following lobbying from the NFU and other industry organisations, the EC has decided not to impose geographical restrictions on feed.