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Organic Annual Report
Introduction
1.1 This 1
st Annual Report on progress made in implementing the Scottish Executive's Organic Action Plan (published in February 2003) has been drawn together in collaboration with the Organic Stakeholders Group. It sets out the Scottish Executive's actions in support of the development of the organic sector in addition to providing a wider picture of actions taken by stakeholders in driving towards the vision of a prosperous organic farming and food sector in Scotland. It commits the Scottish Executive to a series of further actions which will deliver the priorities for the organic sector identified in the "
Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture" and responds to the High level commitments of
"A Partnership For A Better Scotland". It also points to a series of further actions that will be taken by stakeholders.
1.2 The Organic Action Plan sets out the Scottish Executive's vision 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. While much has yet to be done, many positive steps have been taken towards attaining this vision and this work will continue throughout the coming year.
1.3 The following overview gives an update of the specific action called for in the Action Plan, as well as an indication of the range of activity that has been taken in support of the organic sector. A fuller account of activity can be found in the body of the report.
Our commitment to action
1.4 The Organic Action Plan committed the Scottish Executive to 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%.
1.5 To help the organic sector achieve these targets, the Action Plan proposed action that has now been supplemented by a range of complementary activities that are outlined below.
Organic farming
1.6 The Minister announced proposed changes to the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) on
18 August 2003 stating that: "The changes to the Organic Aid Scheme represent the next step in the development of our support for the Scottish organic sector. These changes deliver on our Partnership Agreement commitment to increase the finance available for farmers wishing to convert to organic farming and increase the proportion of organic food available in Scotland".
1.7 The changes covered:
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;
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.
1.8 These improvements have been approved by the European Commission and are now being introduced.
1.9 Throughout the year the Scottish Executive provided 194,000 for SAC's Advisory Activities in support of the Organic Aid Scheme and Organic Farming. This activity covered SAC's Organic Demonstration Farm Network, the SAC organic farming web- site, plus general and specific advice to farmers and crofters.
1.10 The Scottish Executive was pleased that the Soil Association held their Annual Conference in Edinburgh in January 2004 and provided 10,000 towards publication costs. The Conference was addressed by Allan Wilson, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development.
Marketing/Public Procurement
1.11 The Scottish Executive's Processing and Marketing Grant Schemes and Marketing Development Scheme have been prioritised towards projects which help organic producers exploit market opportunities.
1.12 Since the introduction of capital grants and non-capital grant schemes in 2001 over 5.3m has been awarded to support 40 projects processing and marketing Scottish organic produce.
1.13 The Scottish Executive has been active in procurement issues and has worked in partnership with Scottish Food and Drink, the Organic Stakeholders Group and others, towards improving the market penetration of Scottish Organic products.
Healthy Eating
1.14 The SAC/Soil Association Seminar, "
Agriculture: The Primary Health Service", held on 28 May 2003 was a positive contribution towards the development of this issue.
1.15 The "
Food for Life" report published in 2003 reveals the state of primary school meals in the UK. As well as case studies of schools pioneering healthy mealtimes, the report details actions that schools, caterers, government and parents can take to get healthy, local and organic food into schools. The Scottish Executive is taking forward implementation of "
Hungry for Success" and we believe that the organic sector can benefit from the overall promotion of healthy eating in schools.
1.16 The Scottish Diet Action Plan, "
Eating for Health" (1996), secured widespread agreement on policies, priorities, and interventions through provision of a framework of action to improve diet and make progress towards achieving the dietary targets. This action plan still provides the framework for all policy to improve diet in Scotland today.
Research
1.17 The Scottish Executive already funds 0.5m per annum, or about 25%, of the government research effort on organic food and farming in the UK.
1.18 Two main pieces of research have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive and are due to report in the immediate future, these are:
A market research study to examine the current extent of market penetration of Scottish organic produce in the Scottish organic product market.
A study to evaluate organic farming research needs for Scotland.
Standards
1.19 The Scottish Executive and Scottish stakeholders have been actively involved in the development of the "
Compendium of UK Organic Standards" and this resulted in a set of conditions that reflected the interests of Scottish producers.
1.20 The Scottish Executive has also been actively involved in the arrangements and appointments to the new Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS).
Aquaculture
1.21 The Scottish Executive supported the Soil Association and Organic Fish Producers in the development of organic fish standards for farmed fish with funding this year of some 35,000.
The Future
1.22 The Organic Stakeholders Group will continue to advise on the further development of policy and the Scottish Executive will continue to report annually on what action has been taken in support of the organic sector.
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