conversion to organic production

Organic farming offers UK farmers an opportunity to improve business profitability, biodiversity and sustainability both within agriculture and rural communities. Consumer interest is growing and being involved in organic production can help re-connect farming with the public. The retail market for organic products exceeds £1.8bn per year and the prediction is that this will increase, with opportunities to substitute imports through increased home production.

Financial support is available to producers to assist in conversion to organic production, under the Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) of Environmental Stewardship scheme.

Issues to consider in organic farming systems include soil fertility, crop rotation, livestock  animal health and use of manures.

Abacus Organic Associates have the expertise and experience to advise you on all issues relating to conversion to organic production.

Marketing organic products

Organic products may only be marketed as "organic" if they meet the European Union approved standards. Organic Inspection Bodies  administer these standards in the UK and are Defra approved. The UK standards are described in the Compendium of UK Organic Standards.

Food must be produced in accordance with organic standards by farmers registered with an approved inspection body in order to be legally sold as ‘organic food’ within the European Union.

Farm shops, retail outlets, farmers markets, and other such common outlets provide  situations for the sale of organic products.

The main components of organic farming are avoiding the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, and the use of crop husbandry to maintain soil fertility and control weeds, pests and diseases.

However, since 1973 the inputs and practices used in organic farming have been strictly regulated in accordance with EU Regulation 2092/91 and the Organic Products Regulations 2004

The standards which need to be complied with in the UK are detailed in the Compendium of UK Organic Standards.

Details of the relevant EU and UK legislation, including any amendments enacted after the Compendium’s publication, can be found on the organic legislation and standards page of the Defra website.

Questions concerning the standards can be made to the Organic Strategy Branch, Defra, Area 5F, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 2AL.