A new study shows that organic food production has much greater government support in Europe than it does in the UK.
The report – '
The Lazy Man of Europe’ – by the
Soil Association outlines how the UK could benefit from following the lead of different countries in Europe to expand the
organic farming industry and support for organic
food.
Organic market
After a 10 per cent growth rate in 2008, the European organic market was worth £15.2 billion (€18 billion). Despite the economic recession, the organic market continued to expand in both France and Italy. The UK, however, experienced a 13.6 per cent decrease in market value and was worth £1.8 billion in 2009. This compares to Germany’s £4.9 billion (€5.8 billion) economy in 2008, which is the largest organic market in Europe by value.
"The Coalition Government has pledged to be 'the greenest government ever’ and the new Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice, said recently that organic principles lead the way on sustainable farming, and that organic farming should be fostered for this reason," said Peter Melchett, policy director of the Soil Association. "The results of our investigation provide a blueprint for the new Government to live up to its pledge, and to move the UK from the bottom of the European league table when it comes to backing organic."
The report details not only why the UK market for organic foods has decreased but also how the Government can adopt policies similar to those across Europe to boost the organic food industry.
What other countries are doing
Germany’s organic market has thrived because of the amount of government support the industry has been given, according to the report.
In 2002, the German government set up the German Federal Organic Farming Scheme. The programme is designed to expand the organic market, largely through educating people about organic farming.
"The market for organic produce can be expected to see sustainable growth when people base their decision in favour of organic farming or organic produce on a thorough consideration of pros and cons," the report said.
Italy has a thriving organic market, too, partly due to it being enshriningin key legislation. The 1999 Finance Law 488 states "to guarantee the promotion of organic agricultural production of 'quality’ food products, public institutions that operate school and hospital canteens will provide in the daily diet the use of organic, typical and traditional products."
Italy's cities are doing just that. In Rome, 150,000 mostly organic meals are served daily in schools. Piacenza is doing even more. The city passed a law saying that day cares should serve 100 per cent organic foods while primary and secondary schools should serve meals that are at least 70 per cent organic or quality.
The Soil Association is calling on the UK Government to put similar projects into place. It asks the Government to allocate funds for research to help organic farmers and businesses solve problems. It also wants it to adopt the Food for Life Catering Mark, which says that meals are at least freshly prepared, free from harmful hydrogenated fats and harmful e-numbers and do not have genetically modified ingredients.
The Soil Association report was launched at its annual conference, which looked to discuss not only how the carbon footprint of food
production can be lowered, but also how it can make people healthier while supporting both the local and national economies.
Organic campaign
Last month, the UK organic sector launched a campaign to raise awareness among consumers about the benefits fo eating organic food. The £2 million campaign has been part funded by food producers and retailers and European money.
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