The government has launched the Organic Action Plan to support farmers in England.
The plan sets out measures to grow the domestic market including advice and support for farmers considering the transition to organic production and more opportunities to sell organic food in the UK.
It also outlines ways to improve supply chains by getting more organic products into the hands of UK consumers and opening up new markets.
The plan has the ambition to increase England’s organic farmland from around 3% to 10% in the next decade.
The English Organic Forum, which was involved in the development of the plan, said it had an “important role to play in strengthening the resilience of English farming”.
It’s co-chair Adrian Steele called it a “win” for UK food and farming.
“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,” said Steele.
“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.”
The plan focuses on three areas: supporting existing and new organic producers and processors, bringing domestic supply more in line with demand, and building demand for English organic products through greater consumer awareness and public sector procurement.
“People are buying more organic food, and we want English farmers to be in a strong position to respond to that demand,” said environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle.
“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.”
The announcement was welcomed by Steve Clarkson, chief executive of Organic Farmers & Growers, who said the “joined-up approach presents the best possible opportunity for the organic sector”.
He added: “The plan acknowledges the strong body of evidence that supports organic’s capacity to restore nature, reduce chemical exposure, deliver sustainable resources such as improved soil health, as well as its positive outcomes for climate change adaption. As such, the plan’s vision for organic closely aligns with wider government policy commitments on food, farming and the environment.”
However, Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network, was more measured, explaining that it was a “welcome step in the right direction” but that “the agricultural transition now depends on ministers turning statements and plans into action and opportunities on the ground”.
He called for farmers to gain “confidence and practical support”, adding that the sector needed to see “real investment from the supply chain and the private sector, along with fairer prices for farmers for their goods and stronger domestic markets for homegrown produce”.
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