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Organic Action Plan
Introduction
1.1 This Action Plan, developed with the advice of the Organics Stakeholder Group, sets out the Scottish Executive's intentions for future action to support the development of the organic sector in Scotland. It commits the Executive to a series of actions which will deliver the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture's priorities for the organic sector and responds to the challenges set by the Rural Development Committee of the Scottish Parliament in its Stage 1 report on the Organic Farming Targets (Scotland) Bill.
1.2 The Scottish Executive's vision is of a prosperous organic farming and food sector which ensures that, as far as possible, demand for organic products is met by Scottish producers, and which makes a strong contribution to the sustainable environmental management of Scotland's agricultural land and water resources. Through this Plan, and the action of the organic sector itself, the Executive aims to see accelerated growth of organic farming where this can make the best contribution to environmental sustainability. We want to see Scottish organic produce succeed in the marketplace, bringing to an end the situation where imported produce meets a disproportionate amount of demand for organic produce.
Our commitment to action
1.3 Achieving our aim of building a prosperous and sustainable organic sector will rely on many factors, including individual decisions by individual businesses, and by consumers. For its part, the Executive will act, within the powers and resources available to it, to remove barriers and create conditions to help the sector to develop such that:
For products where Scotland's climate supports organic production, Scottish organic products can secure a market share at least the same as that attained by Scottish non-organic produce. Only an estimated 35% of organic produce sold is currently provided from domestic sources (as opposed to around 70% for non-organic products). We want to see Scottish organic products grow in market penetration so that they can meet at least 70% by value of overall Scottish consumer demand for organic products which can be sourced in Scotland, as well as succeeding in the broader UK and international markets.
There can be a doubling of the area of arable land and improved grassland in organic conversion or production, with a view to these areas comprising 30% of Scotland's organic area by 2007, against a current 15%.
1.4 To help the organic sector achieve these targets, specific action is proposed in the following areas:
Organic farming
Support for organic farming, including consultation
now on changes for progressive implementation in 2003 and early 2004 including:
new payment rates to give a better incentive to organic conversion where this can be of greatest environmental benefit and best meet market needs, including arable land;
a new payment for conversion for vegetable and fruit production;
more support for advisory help for organic converters;
introduction of assistance through the Organic Aid Scheme for capital costs associated with conversion; and
options for support for organic producers beyond the initial conversion period.
Marketing
Support for the effective marketing of organic produce, including:
prioritisation
now, under the Executive's Processing and Marketing Grant Schemes, for assistance towards projects which help organic producers exploit market opportunities; and
support
now through Scottish Enterprise for the development of Scottish organic branding.
Research
Research to support the development of the Scottish organic sector, including:
commissioning a scoping study
now, informed by Organics Stakeholder Group expertise, to identify key research findings and research gaps relevant to the further development of the sector, followed by targeted research to address these gaps.
Standards
Development of organic standards appropriate to Scottish circumstances, including:
1.5 The publication of this Action Plan represents a stage in the development of the Scottish Executive's support for the organic sector. The Action Plan sets out what we believe is achievable now. It is intended to set a direction for work to be done now and to inform choices by the new Scottish Executive in the first year after the May 2003 election. Its results will be seen over a longer period of time, stretching over the lifetime of the next Scottish Executive and beyond. Policy will continue to develop as market circumstances change, as research helps inform change and as, through reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and Scottish Executive Spending Reviews, potentially available policy instruments and resources change.
1.6 The Organics Stakeholder Group will continue to advise on the further development of policy. Between now and the end of March the Organics Stakeholder Group will look at issues which have been identified as top priorities for further work, including:
detailed implementation of the measures set out in this Plan;
organic food's place in the promotion of healthy eating; and
public procurement issues.
1.7 The Scottish Executive will report annually on what it has done to support the development of the organic sector in Scotland. It will use this process to record progress against the actions in this plan, to report on the development of the organic sector, and to ensure that its policies on organic food and farming continue to adapt to changing circumstances.
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