Organic foods

Citation

(1999), "Organic foods", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 99 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.1999.01799fab.011

Organic foods

Organic foods

Consumer health concerns over GM foods will result in a major change in the eating preferences of the British population according to Dr Angela Gunning, Research Manager at Frost & Sullivan. She went on to say that the organic dairy market is growing at 24 per cent a year in Denmark leading the way in Europe, well ahead of the UK. At present only 0.5 per cent of farming land in the UK is accredited for organic production, corresponding to about 1,200 producers. However, the Soil Association estimates that this will be up to 7 per cent within ten years from now. This is still a long way behind Denmark which will be 50 per cent organic by then. Agriculture Minister, Nick Brown, has launched a scheme that will see a doubling in the payment rates to farmers wanting to convert to organic farming. The Organic Conversion Information Service, funded by MAFF in the UK, provides free advice to farmers considering entering organic farming to help them address the complex issues which conversion entails. It comprises two elements. The first is a helpline operated by the Soil Association as a source of preliminary advice. The second is operated by the Elm Farm Research Centre and consists of free advisory visits.