Asked by: Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to ensure that farming standards are adapted to increase organic food production.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
We work constructively with the European Commission and other Member States to ensure that the European organic standard works at a practical level for UK producers including through the development of a new organic regulation currently being negotiated.
Supporting our farmers and protecting the environment will form an important part of our exit from the EU. We are now focused on making sure that all our policies are delivering for the UK and to grow our world-leading food and farming industry.
Asked by: Lord Cotter (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to reduce the costs of organic products.
Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble
Organic produce is likely to be more expensive than its non-organic equivalent due to the increased production costs inherent in the system.
In recognition of these additional costs, as well as funding available to all farmers, there is funding available to increase the area of organic farming within the current Rural Development Programme.
Under Rural Development, organic farming is supported via the Countryside Stewardship Scheme where there are options available for conversion to organic farming, and also for ongoing management of land registered as organic. In addition organic farmers have access to a wide range of capital and land management options, within Countryside Stewardship, to improve further the environmental benefits delivered on their farms.
This support recognises the additional costs associated with organic farming and delivers enhancements to the countryside.