Ongoing maintenance payments for existing organic farmers, increases in the amounts paid for converting to organic production and better funding for top fruit growers are just some of the measures which have now been announced.

The NFU hopes the scheme will encourage new and existing organic farmers by increasing funding to levels enjoyed by growers and farmers in the EU, helping them to compete with imports.

Top fruit grower and NFU organic committee vice chairman Peter Hall said: 'We are very supportive of the new Organic Farming Scheme, as the maintenance payments are long overdue. Other member states have been receiving ongoing payments for some years now.

'The top-fruit payments, although small, should also be welcomed as a measure that may help British organic top-fruit growers to compete with imports.'