Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is their policy to encourage organic farming and to increase the amount of land used by that sector; and if so, what actions they are taking in support of that policy.

The Government believes that both conventional and organic farming offers opportunities for expansion and increased penetration of the domestic and overseas markets.

The Government recognises that organic farming and food can make a significant contribution helping to achieve environmental objectives, together with the additional consumer choice it offers, and supports this in England through the provision of financial aid for both conversion to and maintenance of organic status.