News - Policy & Regulation (76 articles)
This section combines information on policy and regulation in the organic industry. Further information can be obtained from external sites, including Defra’s organic farming pages, the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards who advise the government on organic standards, and the EU who set organic regulations. You may also find The Organic Research Centre’s pages on policy useful, as well as IFOAM’s site and that of Organic Centre Wales. UK certifiers may also provide a good source of information on policy: Organic Farmers & Growers; Soil Association; Organic Food Federation; Scottish Organic Producers Association; The Biodynamic Agricultural Association; Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association; The Organic Trust and Quality Welsh Food Certification Limited.
ORC OPEN DAYS
Added: 25th June 2010
Celebrating 30 years of the Organic Research Centre
The Organic Research Centre is holding two open days on the 16th & 17th of July as part of our 30th Anniversary programme.
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Communicating the organic message
Added: 19th May 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer conference
OF&G initiatives – a certifier’s perspective
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The difference between price and value
Added: 28th April 2010
Editorial from ORC's Bulletin #99
Lawrence Woodward comments on the recent NAO report about OELS taken from the lastest issue of the Organic Research Centre's Bulletin.
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Sustainable Food Security
Added: 1st April 2010
Discussion & presentations from the ORC Producer Conference
The discussion on “Sustainable Food Security” was lead by presentations by Niels Halberg who presented a paper titled “Is Organic Farming an unjustified luxury in a world with too many hungry people?” and Lawrence Woodward with a paper titled “Organic Farming and Food Security – A UK Perspective”. Halberg spoke of how an increasing world population and climate change will be a challenge to food security but there is a need for a new production paradigm to integrate natural resource management with food and nutritional security. He suggested that organic (both certified and non-certified) can significantly contribute to this new approach. Woodward raised the questions of why UK governments and policy makers do not see organic farming as being part of the solution and conclude that it was probably due to the focus on yields rather than total productivity. He concluded that organic farming does have a role to play in food security but that the real challenge is shifting the policy debate from more food at any cost. We need to embrace food sovereignty and this will allow us to call for and make fundamental change.
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ORC Producer Conference 2010 proceedings now available online
Added: 1st April 2010
Session summaries & presentations from this years conference
We are pleased to be able to offer content from the 2010 Organic Research Centre's Producer Conference online.
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2010 Organic Producer's Conference
Added: 25th November 2009
An information packed Organic Producer Conference
Despite the inclement weather the 2010 Organic Producer Conference was very well attended and information packed, with many inspirational speakers.
Working with the Organic Growers Alliance, The Institute of Organic Training and Advice, The Colloquium of Organic Researchers, GM Freeze and other producer and research groups, the Organic Research Centre pulled together a stimulating and highly informative programme.
The conference's presentations will soon be made available on this website.
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2010 ORGANIC PRODUCERS’ CONFERENCE
Added: 24th September 2009
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
CALL FOR PAPERS AND WORKSHOP PROPOSALS
7th and 8th January 2010 Harper Adams University, Shropshire, TF10 8NB
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Organic farming conversion scheme opening in Wales
Added: 10th September 2009
Scheme opens to applications from 15/9/09 to 30/9/09
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced the opening of an Organic Farming Conversion Scheme.
Farmers will be able to apply to join the scheme between 15 September 2009 and 30 September 2009.
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Join the campaign to grow the organic market in the UK
Added: 8th September 2009
We have done it, will you?
The benefits that organic produce and organic farming bring to both consumers and society, need to be communicated much better to the public. A bid to the EU could secure funds to organize a large marketing campaign to support the sector.
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Wales Consults on Managing GM Co-existence.
Added: 26th August 2009
Welsh Assembly Government Issue GM-Coexistence Consultation
The Welsh Assembly Government has issued a consultation on the coexistence of GM, conventional and organic crops in Wales. The proposals are stronger than those proposed in 2006 by Defra for England and if enacted would give Welsh farmers greater protection. The consultation document can be obtained from WAG and the closing date for responses is 22nd September 2009.
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It’s not rocket science
Added: 26th August 2009
Groundsel found in packaged rocket in Germany
Following the discovery of a single plant of groundsel in a 125 g lot of packaged rocket, the German rocket market has completely broken down. Amidst fears of food poisoning several big supermarket chains cancelled their rocket orders, according to the online version of the German news magazine 'Der Spiegel'.
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Soil-less in Scandinavia undermines EU Organic credibility
Added: 18th June 2009
Regulation rules out soil-less cropping but no EU action yet
Reports of soil-less production in organic glasshouses in Scandinavia and the EU’s seemingly tolerant position have raised a number of questions. The new EU Regulation on organic production (834/2007) shows a number of clear references to the fact that plants must be raised in soil and that soil properties and biodiversity should be preserved and enhanced. Definitions of soil all state in more or less detail that it is part of or attached to the surface of the Earth. Once these facts are reviewed the only logical conclusion is that soil-less cannot and should not be allowed in organic systems. This is also important in the maintenance of consumer confidence and harmonised perceptions across the EU. The failure if member states and the EU Commission to stop this practice may damage the credibility of the regulatory process.
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Bid for EU money to overcome “weak and misunderstood” organic brand
Added: 12th June 2009
Organic sector bid for EU promotion funds is being set up
A UK organic sector initiative is being established to access EU funds set aside to promote awareness of organic food and farming. There is a view that the organic brand is weak and misunderstood in the UK and a national programme is needed to address this. Other EU countries have been accessing these funds since 2004 and now a sector wide initiative, co-ordinated by Sustain and supported by ORC and others, is preparing a bid for Defra to submit to the EU later this year. The initial core group is actively seeking the involvement of all parts of the sector to ensure that the bid and the subsequent campaign are successful.
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€18 Million EU research confirms organic claims
Added: 8th June 2009
QLIF shows benefits but more work needed
The five-year, €18 million research programme, part-funded by the EU, on the quality of organic and low input foods has come to a close with a conference in Turkey in April 2009 and the publication of summaries of the main results. A huge number of projects completed over 5 years have confirmed much of what organic supporters have been saying about organic food and farming systems but has not been able to supply the definitive answer on health claims that many had hoped for. Some new insights have been gained however and interesting perspectives on how the organic system might be further developed have emerged.
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What's the dope on the soap?
Added: 8th June 2009
Is the status of a key organic input resolved or not?
Earlier this year, fatty acid potassium salt, better known as soft soap or by its trade name of Savona, was listed by the European Crop Protection Association as having failed the safety evaluation of the EU Pesticides Review. This caused consternation amongst organic growers. But it now appears that a previous Commission Directive had included it on the approved list of control inputs permitting its use until 2018.
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Good news info about organic soy
Added: 28th May 2009
Organic Soy Report looks at market claims.
The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Soy Report analyses companies that market organic soy foods, on criteria they believe are important to organic consumers.
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EU Organic Farming Policy Uncovered
Added: 28th May 2009
EU organic farming policies and regulations analysed.
In a special issue of the academic journal Food Policy, several leading researchers examine the development of organic farming policy in Europe, including the regulation defining organic farming, financial support through agri-environmental and rural development programmes, action plans for organic farming as well as different perspectives on stakeholder engagement.
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How can organic grass be greener?
Added: 28th May 2009
Industry debates the future for organic grass seed.
It hasn’t hit the headlines much recently but the issues about the possibility of producing organic grass seed are still rolling on with differing views strongly held. Defra has reiterated that the Regulation requiring 100% organic seed will not be dropped and whilst current derogations allow 35% conventional seed in a grass mixture, progress must continue to be made towards full compliance. There are different views about the desirability and feasibility of this.
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Protected cropping moves up the organic agenda
Added: 18th May 2009
Protected cropping rules shouldn't allow non soil production
Protected cropping is likely to move onto the agenda of the Standing Committee of Organic Farming in its quest to fill in the gaps of the new EU Regulations.
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Call to ban honey bee killing pesticides rejected
Added: 9th April 2009
Calls to ban insecticide
Defra rejects calls from the organic lobby to ban insecticides claimed to damage honey bee health.
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Welsh Minister justifies support for organic
Added: 3rd April 2009
Tir Gofal budget to fund organic conversion
Criticism from Welsh Conservatives to the decision to use the Tir Gofal budget to fund organic conversion in Wales.
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Feed Holiday not an option
Added: 1st April 2009
Organic bodies’ request for feed holidays rejected
Defra confirmed that under the EU Organic Regulation feed 'holidays' would not be possible.
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Organic Feed 'Holidays'
Added: 26th March 2009
The Organic Research Centre stands by its principles
The Soil Association agreed not to pursue its proposal for feed holidays in the face of overwhelming opposition to it.
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No change on organic animal feed.
Added: 24th March 2009
Soil Association Standards Board
Soil Association decides against change in current economic climate.
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Growing Welsh organic sector remains competitive
Added: 17th March 2009
Welsh Organic Production and Market Report
Latest report from Organic Centre Wales shows that the Welsh organic sector saw significant growth in 2008.
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Organic farming: ammunition against climate change
Added: 20th February 2009
Biofach 2009 organic farming on the agenda
Mariann Fischer Boel outlined the progress, challenges and benefits of organic farming.
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Food Futures: Rethinking UK Strategy
Added: 6th February 2009
UK food chain to be prepared to manage continued volatility
New Chatham House report says that the UK can no longer take its food chain for granted.
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Update on Bluetongue
Added: 26th January 2009
Leave it to market forces?
Defra decides on free market approach to vaccination.
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Changes to funding for uplands farming
Added: 19th January 2009
New payment scheme for hill farmers announced
Hill farmers are to be rewarded for protecting and enhancing the landscapes and environment of England’s iconic uplands with new payment scheme.
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Organic Movement or Market?
Added: 16th January 2009
Organic farmers and producers in hot debate
Lively discussions at the recent Organic Research Centre Producer Conference.
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Beginning of the end of pesticides?
Added: 13th January 2009
Landmark vote from MEPs
EU rules on pesticide use to be tightened.
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New call from Defra on Bluetongue
Added: 17th December 2008
Government continues to push voluntary vaccination
Defra wants farmers to voluntarily vaccinate their stock.
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Wise words from Hilary Benn
Added: 12th December 2008
Let’s switch to sustainable farming
Defra minister advocates sustainable farming systems.
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UK animal health latest
Added: 26th November 2008
Good news on avian influenza, bad news on Bluetongue
The Uk is now officially free from Avian Influenza.
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Feeding the World Conference 12th November
Added: 13th November 2008
A successful start to picking up the 'Woolas Challenge'
Over 130 delegates attended the conference in London in November 2008.
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Facing the future
Added: 5th November 2008
Report from the Welsh Organic Producer’s conference
Thursday 23 October 2008, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells
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New Single Payment Scheme policy
Added: 24th October 2008
Fruit and vegetable production land could receive payments
Growers with land under permanent fruit and vegetable production could receive £150/ha from 2010 under the new Single Payment Scheme.
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Harmonising organic trade
Added: 15th October 2008
New tools for standards and market access
A long slog (taking six years) to harmonise trade in organic produce between markets with different standards and environmental conditions has finally borne fruit, with the launch of two new tools designed to establish equivalence between organic standards and improve market access for farmers in developing countries.
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Welsh organic gathering
Added: 3rd October 2008
Welsh Organic Prod Conference Oct 2008
This year's Organic Centre Wales conference is entitled 'Preparing for a challenging future'
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Call to Defra to save bees
Added: 1st October 2008
Ban dangerous insecticides now says Soil Association
Organic sector body calls for ban.
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Compost at heart of EU greenhouse gas effort
Added: 26th September 2008
EU opinion on greenhouse gas mitigation from farming.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) at the request of the French presidency last year has just delivered its opinion on the link between climate change and agriculture at European level.
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Bog standard SA certification lives on
Added: 26th September 2008
Ascisco wins reprieve from SA certification board
In a surprise move, the Soil Association (SA) has announced that, after all, it is to continue operating its organic certification company – Ascisco – (UK 15) which certifies organic businesses to the baseline EU regulation (minimum organic standards).
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EU to limit vehicle biofuels
Added: 12th September 2008
MEPS vote to set a limit on biofuels targets
MEPS vote to set a limit on targets to increase the use of biofuels for road transport.
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Bluetongue vaccination running out of steam?
Added: 10th September 2008
Low take up of vaccine in Cumbria and Northumberland.
Concern from Defra about the low uptake.
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Organic is no friend of Africa
Added: 10th September 2008
Anti organic speech from Sir David King – let them eat GM.
The rise of organic farming and the rejection of GM crops in Britain and other developed countries lies at the heart of the impoverishment of Africa.
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New EU Regulation
Added: 5th September 2008
Organic Centre Wales has techical note on the new regulation
The regulation comes into force on 1st January 2009.
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Life Cycle Analysis – Update
Added: 4th September 2008
Use of Cranfield Life Cycle Model causes controversy
We recently reported on the work undertaken at Cranfield and Manchester University that used a Life Cycle Analysis model of agricultural commodities that suggested that organic products had a poorer environmental footprint than other production systems.
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Defra logs two fresh Bluetongue cases
Added: 1st September 2008
Imported Bluetongue in East Sussex and Hertfordshire.
Defra has found new cases of Bluetongue (BTV8) in imported rams, on premises near Lewes, East Sussex, and Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
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Bluetongue update
Added: 20th August 2008
Vaccination working well in England.
Latest Defra figures show that vaccination appears to be working in England.
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Soil Association's Standards Board now complete
Added: 6th August 2008
Rob Haward, of Riverford Organic Vegetables joins the board
Riverford's operations director joins the standards board as a grower representative.
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Life Cycle Analysis of Organic Farming Systems:
Added: 5th August 2008
An Organic Research Centre Comment.
An ORC comment on the 2006 Cranfield University report on a Defra-funded project.
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Benn announces “son of set-aside”
Added: 28th July 2008
Set-aside conservation benefits to be saved by new plan
New measures to reap conservation benefit from farmland previously achieved as a result of set aside have been announced by Defra Secretary of State Hilary Benn.
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Principle and practice: stopping the erosion
Added: 21st July 2008
The Organic Research Centre’s team reports from IFOAM/ISOFAR
Report on the IFOAM Congress meeting in Modena, Italy in June.
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An eye on food and farming from 10 Downing Street
Added: 15th July 2008
Analysis of UK Food and Farming from the No.10 Strategy Unit
An analysis of UK Food and Farming from the No 10 Strategy Unit – integrated policy for an energy depleted future and an obese, unhealthy present.
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Bluetongue – an update
Added: 15th July 2008
Defra extends the protection zone for Bluetongue
Protection zone will cover England as far north as North Yorkshire and west to the west Midlands and Staffordshire.
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Is it organic?
Added: 3rd July 2008
Isotope test from NZ to catch fertiliser cheats.
A new way to boost confidence in organic food label claims has been developed down under.
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IFOAM organic world congress
Added: 25th June 2008
1700 experts, practitioners and producers met in Modena
More than 1700 experts, practitioners and producers met in Modena, Italy to discuss some of the most pressing concerns for the industry and humanity.
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Have your say on CAP health check
Added: 11th June 2008
Consultation on the EU proposals for review of CAP
Defra has launched a twelve-week consultation on the European Commission’s proposals for the “Health Check” of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
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Taking the pulse of organic animal health
Added: 10th June 2008
What is the organic way forward on TB in cattle?
Is vaccination an acceptable organic tool? What is positive health?
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ACOS review published
Added: 6th June 2008
Review of Advisoy Committee on Organic Standards, puplished
A review of the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards, launched in August 2007, has now been published.
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Biodynamic: a new approach to organic?
Added: 4th June 2008
Workshops run by the Biodynamic Agriculture Association
Workshops throughout April and May run by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association have provided an on-farm introduction to biodynamic farming.
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Making more use of research
Added: 2nd June 2008
Research information more accessible for farmers & growers
Mark Measures, Director of the Institute of Organic Training and Advice summarises the improved access to research information for farmers and advisers.
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Industrialised organic production?
Added: 29th May 2008
The Ecologist looks at the future of organic food
Current growth of the organic sector and what the future holds.
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In-conversion grain in organic livestock diets
Added: 15th May 2008
New entrants to the organic sector may be deterred
Hi Peak Feeds fears potential new entrants to the organic sector will be deterred if in-conversion grain for organic livestock diets is withdrawn.
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Could GM complement organic?
Added: 8th May 2008
Leading US rice scientist suggests combining GM and organic
A leading US rice scientist suggests genetic engineering combined with organic farming may be the best future for the environment.
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Waste Protocols Project proposes new rules
Added: 23rd April 2008
Waste Protocols Project combines industry, Env.Agency, WRAP
The Waste Protocols Project is a joint Environment Agency and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) initiative in collaboration with industry.
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Organic Farming could reduce GHG emissions
Added: 14th April 2008
Organic farming: can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
Organic farming: has “considerable potential for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases” according to a recent International Trade Centre report.
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New organic logo postponed
Added: 27th March 2008
Implementation of new EU-wide organic logo postponed to 2010
Organic Market Info reports that implementation of the new EU-wide organic logo will be postponed until 2010.
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EU Organic Logo vote
Added: 17th March 2008
Organic Market Info reports vote in favour of new EU logo
The vote resulted in a majority of 265 for the logo, compared to 80 against.
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Soil Association: second air freight consultation
Added: 7th March 2008
2nd round of consultation to change certification standards
Following initial consultation and recommendations to change certification standards, the Soil Association launches a second round of consultation.
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Doing it right, Doing it better - proceedings
Added: 8th February 2008
The Organic Research Centre's 2nd Producer Conference
Proceedings from the conference, hosted in collaboration with Organic Inform, are now available online.
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Organic Inform Newsletter
Added: 25th January 2008
Monthly Organic Inform newsletter with latest news & events
Each month, Organic Inform puts together a newsletter with the latest news and events. Register to ensure you receive your copy.
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Report confirms negative impact of biofuels
Added: 21st January 2008
A study be EAC calls for biofuel moratorium
A study by the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) of the House of Commons calls for a moratorium on biofuels.
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Could OELS result in over supply?
Added: 18th January 2008
Director of IOTA comments on Organic Entry Level Stewardship
Mark Measures, Director of IOTA comments on the potential impact of Organic Entry Level Stewardship on the organic market.
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Battling with blight – the use of copper in 2007
Added: 4th January 2008
Last year worst in 50 years for blight: more copper use?
2007 saw the worst summer in 50 years for blight leading to an increase in the number of organic potato farmers applying for the use of copper.
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New EU organic regulation approved
Added: 13th June 2007
European Council of Ministers approves revised regulation
EU agriculture ministers believe that the new regulation will make production and labelling easier for both producers and consumers.
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