§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the additional costs associated with organic farming. [48786]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 3 July 1998]: Estimates of the comparative costs of organic and conventional systems were prepared in summer 1997 by the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency. These estimates are based on average yields for both systems and reflect a conservative view of organic premia (i.e. that the premiums for organic produce will be lower than at present). The results for eight farm types considered were as follows.
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 3 July 1998]: Since 1991, the Department has funded a large-scale system study at ADAS Redesdale in Northumberland to explore the practical and financial implications of organic hill farming. The project has also involved comparisons with the performance of a range of commercial organic hill farms. This research has been guided by a steering group involving organic farmers and the results have been widely disseminated. The project will cost £220,000 in 1998/99 and has recently been extended to March 2001.