New Report Shows Record Growth In Market For Organic Food

Sales of organic food grew by a record 55 per cent in the year to April 2000, according to the Organic Food and Farming Report 2000, published today. The Soil Association is using the launch of the report at the International Food Exhibition and new MORI poll findings to highlight the strength of consumer demand for organic food and challenge the government to adopt an action plan for sustainable agriculture.

'The organic market topped 163600 million in 1999-2000, and our new report shows not only that more people are buying organic but they are buying more frequently and spending more when they buy,' says Patrick Holden, the Soil Association's Director. 'We believe this dynamic growth in the market and the strength of public opinion indicate that consumers want the politicians to deliver a new and sustainable vision for British agriculture.'

'The time is ripe for our government to match the progress being made elsewhere in Europe by committing itself to an action plan for organic food and farming. We need to put an end to the stop-start funding of the Organic Farming Scheme and give farmers the ongoing organic stewardship payments which their contribution to protecting the environment deserves.'

The Organic Food and Farming Report 2000 warns that continued growth depends upon stronger government support and a commitment by the supermarkets to maintain high organic standards and ensure a fair return to organic producers. It points out that committed organic consumers consistently state that they are prepared to pay more for organic food.

The report also shows imports account for 75 per cent of UK organic food sales compared to 70 per cent the previous year, underlining the importance of developing capacity in domestic production to meet demand. Fifty-two per cent of respondents to a MORI poll commissioned by the Soil Association said that 30 per cent or more of farmland should be farmed using organic methods in contrast to the current 3 per cent. One in four said the government should devote more resources to organic farming to address concerns about food safety.

The Soil Association Action Plan for Sustainable Farming calls for:

• policy - a detailed strategy to convert 30 per cent of farmland in England and Wales to organic farming by 2010, reform of the Common Agriculture Policy towards farming which benefits the environment and more post conversion financial support, such as the organic stewardship scheme.
• environment - promoting local food which reduces food miles and pollution, support for sustainable farming practices and the 'polluter pays' principle on practices which harm the environment.
• health - an immediate ban on antibiotics in animal husbandry, other than for essential medical use, a significant reduction in pesticide use and a ban on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) until evidence is established on whether they impact upon human health or the environment.
• local food links - promoting local and regional food initiatives and locally produced food in the supermarkets.

Notes to editors

• MORI interviewed 1,973 British adults, face-to-face and in home, between 22 and 26 February 2001. Data are weighted to the national profile.
• An executive summary of the report is available by fax or e-mail from Mike Collins in the Soil Association press office on 0117-987 4580.

? Soil Association - Campaigning for organic food and farming and sustainable forestry