Action plan to add support for organic farming

Increased support for organic farming was announced yesterday by the Scottish Government's cabinet secretary for rural affairs, Richard Lochhead.

Organic farming is to be given greater priority as part of an action plan agreed with stakeholders in the industry, including the extension of land managers' options to cover organic maintenance payments.

The organic sector is currently making a slow recovery from reduced premiums - essential to cover higher production costs - resulting from the economic downturn and recent publicity questioning the health benefits of organic produce.

Announcing the action plan during a visit to Tio Organics, Forres, Lochhead said organic produce was making an important contribution to Scotland's food and drink sector which was enjoying increased demand and greater consumer recognition as a result of the government's national food and drink policy to boost sales to 12.5 billion.