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Introduction
1.1 This Third 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 Stakeholder Group. It sets out the Scottish Executive's actions to support development of the organic sector and provides a wider picture of actions taken by stakeholders in stimulating a prosperous organic farming and food sector in Scotland. The report covers the 18-month period from May 2005 to November 2006.
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. Significant progress has been made towards the targets set out in the Action Plan, and the industry has also developed and strengthened substantially since 2003.
1.3 The following overview gives an update of the specific actions 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, within the powers and resources available, 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. In 2003 only an estimated 35% of organic produce sold was 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 which has been supplemented by a range of complementary activities in a number of areas that are outlined below.
Support for Organic Farming
1.6 Changes were introduced to the Organic Aid Scheme ( OAS) in 2005 and 2006, including:
- the payment rates were further increased. These increases were particularly significant, especially for farmers who have completed their organic conversion and wish to maintain their organic status, with some rates increasing fourfold;
and
- the ability for producers with less than 5 years to run on their lease (with a minimum of 365 days) to apply to the scheme, with the landlord's agreement.
1.7 Under the current Scottish Rural Development Plan (2000-2006), through the OAS, the Scottish Executive has supported conversion of some 180,000 hectares of land to organic farming, and provided support for maintenance of 80,000 hectares of organic land. The proportion of good quality land has also risen to 28%, which is very close to the Action Plan target of 30%, and a significant improvement on the estimated 15% good quality land in 2003. These achievements are expected to have, and will continue to deliver, a wide range of environmental benefits.
1.8 Throughout the year the Scottish Executive continued to fund Scottish Agricultural College's ( SAC) Advisory Activity in support of the Organic Aid Scheme and organic farming. This activity covered farm walks and technical meetings, SAC's Organic Demonstration Farm Network, policy seminars, the SAC organic farming website, plus general and specific advice to farmers and crofters. In 2005-06 the advisory activity received almost 1,500 telephone enquiries which is a 32% increase on the previous year. The Advisory Activity funding also supported the SAC Organic Market Link Project (see paragraph 1.12).
Marketing
1.9 The Organic Stakeholders Marketing Group ( OSMG) was established in January 2005. Since its inception the OMSG have met nine times and the group have provided a forum for market orientated projects to be discussed, supported and monitored to ensure a coordinated approach from the industry. The group have also discussed research, looking particularly at recommendations for future research and actions, and how these can be taken forward.
1.10 The Scottish Executive's Processing and Marketing Grant Schemes and Marketing Development Scheme have awarded over £10.5 million since 2001 to support projects which help organic producers exploit market opportunities.
1.11 During 2005 and 2006, Scottish Enterprise have continued to fund and develop events and support programmes to develop collaboration and to improve the marketing capability of organic enterprises in Scotland.
1.12 The SAC Organic Market Link Project was established in 2004 with funding from SEERAD and Scottish Food and Drink. Through this project, the Market Link Coordinator has facilitated a greater degree of information exchange between producers and processors to improve the flow of supply and market information within the sector. The project has contributed in a major way to the current improvement in the market situation for organic red meat and grain in Scotland. The Coordinator has also supported the development of the new organic red meat producer group, Caledonian Organics.
Research
1.13 The main pieces of research on organic food and farming in the UK which have been commissioned by the Scottish Executive are:
- The Soil Association were commissioned to carry out a research study to examine the current extent of market penetration of home grown Scottish organic produce in the Scottish organic market. This report was published in February 2006.
- SEERAD commissioned an evaluation of a pilot scheme to encourage local suppliers to supply food to schools, which included the use of local organic produce.
- Further research work is underway looking at environmental impact of land use and rural stewardship; this is a major project with a cost of over £4 million over five years. This is proposed to cover a broad spectrum of systems including organics and low-input agriculture, although the range of work to be covered in this programme of research is yet to be finally agreed.
1.14 Other research has included a report on the current state of threats to Scotland's Soil Resource; a report by the ACOS Research & Development Committee, funded by Defra, which looks at priorities for public-funded research to support organic food and farming; and a review funded by Scottish Natural Heritage analysing the evidence for the potential for organic agriculture to provide delivery of natural heritage objectives in Scotland.
Standards
1.15 There continues to be three Scottish members of the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards ( ACOS), along with attendance from the Scottish Executive. This work has been particularly important over the last year with the introduction of a proposal to revise the EU Regulation governing standards for organic production, which the committee have been looking at in some detail. ACOS have also continued to monitor current standards and make recommendations to Defra regarding suggested changes in standards.
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