Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds tells farming festival “we are on it” regarding eagerly awaited national strategy for organic farming
Defra secretary Emma Reynolds has confirmed the government’s commitment to an Organic Action Plan for England, highlighting the importance of healthy soils.
She made the announcement at the Groundswell festival on sustainable agriculture at Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire on 2 July.
It follows calls from various environmental groups for a national strategy that includes a target for 10 per cent of the England’s farmland to go organic.
At a meeting after Reynolds’ keynote speech, representatives from organisations across the agroecology and organic movement made the case for public procurement and government-funded research that better prioritises agroecological farming – a type of regenerative farming that doesn’t use synthetic inputs.
Representatives also highlighted how the government could help unlock opportunities for new entrants to nature-friendly farming through changes to planning rules.
Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning urged the Defra secretary to launch an Organic Action Plan for England. The plan was expected to be delivered in July but was yet to be confirmed following Angela Eagle’s departure from the farming minister role and the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Browning told the Reynolds she was “delighted” that the Farming Roadmap, which Defra unveiled on 24 June, included a commitment to an action plan.
She highlighted how the organic market has doubled in the last decade, but farmland has remained static, meaning the UK relies on imports instead of enjoying organic’s biodiversity benefits on home soil.
Speaking after the meeting, Browning said: “It was excellent to see the Secretary of State so warm and engaged with agroecology here at Groundswell where there is real energy for nature-friendly farming.
“Government now must make sure that the plan delivers enough ambition to grow the organic sector, which is an evidence-backed solution to producing good food while restoring nature. We hope to see an ambition for 10 per cent organic farmland alongside action to build the market for British organic food and drink.”
The Soil Association is calling for the plan to launch before parliamentary recess so that it coincides with support payments for organic conversion being available via the Sustainable Farming Incentive.
