Scottish Parliament Reviewing Organic Bill

EDINBURGH - Mar 5/01 - STAT -- Following the lead of the German government, the Scottish Green Party recently introduced a bill to the Scottish Parliament that would increase the number of organic farms to 20% of total farming within the next 10 years.

The consultation report, 'Seizing the Opportunity - A Bill for Scotland's Parliament' has been drawn up by a steering group of NGOs to spell out the benefits of organic farming in Scotland, the great difficulties facing the sector, and the proposed approach the bill will take to solving these problems in Scotland. The steering group members represent approximately 100,000 individuals in Scotland.

The report identifies that demand for organic produce is growing at 55% per year in the UK while domestic supply is only growing at 25%. Imported organic produce from other countries constitutes over 80% of fruit and vegetables, 40% dairy products and half of cereals for human consumption sold in the UK.

The impacts of meeting the 20% conversion target to organic farming have been estimated as between 1000-3000 direct extra jobs directly in Scottish agriculture as well as many more in food related industries and an over 17% increase in butterfly numbers in arable areas. Also, a reduction in over 3/4 million hectares of pesticide spray area on food crops in Scotland.

Robin Harper MSP said; "We must seize the organic opportunity in Scotland for the benefit of consumers, the environment and our beleaguered farming industry. If we don't implement this bill it will be a massive wasted opportunity for Scottish agriculture to respond to what consumers really want. I hope Ross Finnie the Rural Development Minister will adopt our Bill into the imminent Forward Strategy for Agriculture."

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