The UK government has announced an ambitious plan to increase the share of agricultural land farmed organically in England to 10% by 2036. This initiative aims to enhance food production and climate resilience, although concerns persist regarding the funding necessary for this transition.
Current Landscape
Currently, only 3.4% of England's agricultural land is farmed organically, which is among the lowest in Europe. In contrast, France has 10.4% of its land farmed organically and aims to boost this figure to 18% by 2027. Rob Haward, chief executive of organic veg box company Riverford, noted that the difference in organic farming support reflects stronger political backing in the EU compared to England, where the last organic farming plan was published over two decades ago.
The New Plan
The new plan, developed over three years, outlines a vision for growth in the organic sector. It highlights public procurement opportunities, particularly in schools and hospitals, as a significant avenue for expansion. The government has already set a long-term goal for 10% of public sector food spending to adhere to higher environmental production standards, with the organic sector positioned as a key player in achieving this.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle stated, "This plan is about opening up opportunities across the sector, from backing farmers already producing organic food to helping others decide whether it could work for their businesses." She emphasized that organic farming should not be viewed as a niche market, as more consumers are becoming conscious of food sourcing and production standards.
