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Organic Action Plan
Development of organic standards appropriate to Scottish circumstances
6.1 While the mandatory standards for organic production are specified in European regulations, these standards can be supplemented in various ways. Additional standards can be applied by UKROFS as a condition of organic status in the UK, and in certain respects UKROFS standards (and UKROFS' interpretation of standards) can go beyond what is clearly required by European law. Organic sector bodies can also voluntarily set standards which exceed those specified in European regulations.
6.2 The Organics Stakeholder Group supports the continued existence of common UK standards. There is an opportunity at the moment to seek revision of the UKROFS standards and their application. These are being re-examined by the UK Government in conjunction with the organic sector and the devolved administrations with a view to ensuring that when a successor to UKROFS comes into being by the autumn of 2003, organic producers and organic sector bodies can operate standards in a way which takes full account of the particular circumstances of organic farming in Scotland. For instance, the current operation of UKROFS standards has sometimes made it difficult to secure organic status for the progeny of ewe hoggs which have been away-wintered on non-organic land before mating, or to enable the use of suitable locally-available bedding materials for livestock.
Action
6.3 The organic sector bodies will contribute to the review of UKROFS' standards and their application to ensure that standards which ensure consumer confidence in organic products are maintained and that they are defined in a way appropriate to Scottish circumstances. The Scottish Executive will work with DEFRA and the other devolved administrations to ensure that the successor to UKROFS operates in a way which is sensitive to the particular circumstances of Scottish organic producers.
Timing
6.4 These priorities are being taken into account
now in the development at UK level of organic standards and their application, for implementation in autumn 2003.
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