Organic Farming (Hansard, 21 November 1991)

§ 8. Ms. Hoey
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what support is being given to increase the number of farmers using organic methods.

§ Mr. Curry
In addition to that aid which is available to all farmers, we are financing research and development on organic farming systems and are grant aiding the United Kingdom register of organic food standards.

§ Ms. Hoey
Research is important, but about two years ago the hon. Gentleman's Department announced the launch of a conversion scheme for organic farmers in Britain. More than 70 per cent. of organic produce in Britain is imported and support for German organic farmers is greater. Should not the Government be taking a lead in giving those British farmers who want to convert the same opportunities as continental farmers?

§ Mr. Curry
The hon. Lady will know that we sought to introduce an organic conversion scheme, but at the time the Community regulations did not permit it. Similarly, we wanted a young entrants scheme for milk which was not possible. That has now been overtaken by the MacSharry proposals. We are aiming to introduce an organic conversion scheme in the course of the MacSharry reform because we believe that farmers should have that opportunity. Whether consumers want to buy and eat organic produce is a matter for them.

§ Sir Richard Body
Will my hon. Friend bear it in mind that most of us who are organic farmers are receiving a premium of 25 per cent. above the market price, so we are not in need of the production subsidy to which he alluded? On the other hand, we welcome wholeheartedly the proposals for organic research in "Our Farming Future".

§ Mr. Curry
I am grateful to my hon. Friend. It is important that in all these matters the market should decide whether it wants a product or not. Our job is to ensure that what purports to be an organic product is organic and not a false product, and that is what we have done. It is interesting to note that the previous Labour Government showed not the slightest interest in organic production.

§ Mr. William Ross
What research has there been into the cost of producing food by organic means compared with the more usual methods? What sort of profits can farmers expect if they move completely to organic methods?

§ Mr. Curry
I do not think that anyone is suggesting that there should be universal production of organic foods. As my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Sir R. Body) said, organic foods command a premium and a significant proportion of such food is imported, so there is certainly scope to increase output in the United Kingdom. But the market must decide whether it wants such food and, if so, what sort of premium to pay for it. I do not think that we shall see universal organic production.