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Scotland’s Organic Producers See Opportunities
Organic Conference Speakers (opens in new window)
SAC’s annual Organic Producer Conference, held at Murrayshall near Perth, presented a positive but realistic message to producers.
Recent press reports have spoken of organics ‘out of favour and in the doldrums” following the woes in the economy. However “Organic Prospects and Opportunities for 2012: Meeting the Market” expressed a more optimistic picture, particularly in Scotland, where consumer attitudes to buying organic remain more positive than in south of the Border.
Using recent data Amanda Fox from Scottish Government’s Food, Drink and Rural Communities Division demonstrated growth in Scotland’s organic market despite a drop in the numbers of Scottish organic producers and organic land area. She gave an overview of the recent success of the organic RP applications and, referring to Scottish Government’s support for the sector, gave examples of work done to achieve the recent Scottish Organic Action Plans aims.
Murray Gibb, Organic Procurement Officer for NE meat processor McIntosh Donald, said his company were pleased with the quality of organic livestock with a higher percentage of organic steers and lambs now meeting processor specification. He noted farm gate prices for red meat were higher than ever with real organic producer premiums. While supply and demand was balanced Murray urged producers to ensure they retained a good year round supply of organic livestock. He believed the current demand for organic lamb and beef would remain consistent for the rest of the season.
In an upbeat overview, Huw Bowles; Corporate Affairs and Finance Director of OMSCo and Chairman of the Organic Trade Board reported on the first year of the industry -supported Why I Love Organics campaign, which he claimed had achieved its first year aims. Representing the Scottish Organic Forum, Debs Roberts; Development Manager for SOPA explained how industry and Government were strengthening and promoting Scotland’s Organic food and drink supply chain through collaboration.
Andrew Trump who runs Organic Arable; a farmer owned and run organic grain marketing business, reviewed the last harvest and discussed prospects 2012. He spoke about the current supply and demand and forecast prices will probably remain similar to last year, although the oat market will be difficult to predict, depending on the area grown. Andrew Skea of Skea Organics stressed the opportunities for organic producers to let out land for vegetable production as this is currently in short supply in Scotland. He said the main challenges to organic vegetable production are weeds and fertility.
The final speaker was Christopher Stopes; Director of EcoS Consultancy Ltd and President of IFOAM EU Group. In an inspirational overview of the organic sector both home and farther afield Christopher spoke about Globalisation, Food Sovereignty and Agro-Ecology – the delivery of food in an ecologically sustainable way and suggested that the agro-ecological principles are well met by organic farming and food and stated that Scotland is uniquely placed to take advantage of this opportunity. Looking forward he explained the sector should continue to explore challenges including the Environmental – notably climate change; delivery of public goods whilst balancing demands. Diversity & rural development and social cohesion through food & farming. Commenting on the Productivity vs. Sufficiency debate he spoke about food sovereignty not food security; a larger Europe but with small & family farming and working with nature & diversity rather than trying to dominate it.
SAC acknowledges the contribution of Scottish Government to the conference through its Organic Farming and Food Marketing Advisory Activities.