Anne Bruce
The Soil Association has received a hostile reception from other organic certification bodies with the launch of new regional organic logos on the eve of Organic Week (Oct 14-20).
With the Soil Association, which certifies about 50% of UK produce, dominating the sector, rival certifiers say the latest initiative has hijacked planned joint industry regional hallmarks. And the supermarkets have also given the logos a lukewarm response.
The new flag logos will identify British, English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish organic food in a bid to protect the UK organic industry from the threat of cheap foreign imports. Other organic certifiers will be allowed to use them under licence from the SA. Soil Association director Patrick Holden said: "The logos provide a,cost-effective means for UK firms to differentiate products."
But Tesco's corporate and social responsibility manager Leonie Smith said: "Research shows our customers are looking for a Tesco organic brand. The certification mark has very low recall. And Tesco already uses the various union flags on its own organic labels."
A Sainsbury spokesman said the multiple had a Buy British policy pledge to cut organic imports to 45% by 2004. "But we never want too many logos."
At accreditation body the Organic Food Federation executive secretary Julian Wade said: "I think a regional logo is a good idea, but it is disappointing that the Soil Association thinks it has a mandate on it. The British Organic Certifiers Group was also developing regional logos."
Organic Farmers and Growers chief executive David Edwards said: "Logging on under licence to the Soil Association will not appeal to other certifiers."
A Soil Association spokeswoman said: "We did expect some negative feedback. But our scheme is free and inclusive."
{{NEWS }}
The Soil Association has received a hostile reception from other organic certification bodies with the launch of new regional organic logos on the eve of Organic Week (Oct 14-20).
With the Soil Association, which certifies about 50% of UK produce, dominating the sector, rival certifiers say the latest initiative has hijacked planned joint industry regional hallmarks. And the supermarkets have also given the logos a lukewarm response.
The new flag logos will identify British, English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish organic food in a bid to protect the UK organic industry from the threat of cheap foreign imports. Other organic certifiers will be allowed to use them under licence from the SA. Soil Association director Patrick Holden said: "The logos provide a,cost-effective means for UK firms to differentiate products."
But Tesco's corporate and social responsibility manager Leonie Smith said: "Research shows our customers are looking for a Tesco organic brand. The certification mark has very low recall. And Tesco already uses the various union flags on its own organic labels."
A Sainsbury spokesman said the multiple had a Buy British policy pledge to cut organic imports to 45% by 2004. "But we never want too many logos."
At accreditation body the Organic Food Federation executive secretary Julian Wade said: "I think a regional logo is a good idea, but it is disappointing that the Soil Association thinks it has a mandate on it. The British Organic Certifiers Group was also developing regional logos."
Organic Farmers and Growers chief executive David Edwards said: "Logging on under licence to the Soil Association will not appeal to other certifiers."
A Soil Association spokeswoman said: "We did expect some negative feedback. But our scheme is free and inclusive."
{{NEWS }}
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