Organic growth

While your article, “Scots lose taste for organic produce” (16 October), raises some important issues, the conclusions underestimate the potential for organic farming in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has worked closely with the Scottish Organic Forum to produce an Organic Action Plan which is already paying dividends through prioritising organic production, improving funding procedures for organic farmers and encouraging sustainable growth of the sector.

While the amount of organically managed land in Scotland has indeed decreased since 2000, in part due to difficulty in accessing conversion and maintenance payments under the Scotland Rural Development Programme, many organic farmers in Scotland feel positive about their business and are experiencing growth.

In particular, organic milk sales in Scotland were up by 15 per cent on last year.

The Scottish Government recognises the public benefits that organic farming delivers, the important role it plays in tackling climate change and the significant positive contribution to key policies on biodiversity, water and soils.

This is reflected in Europe too, where the EU Audit Commission only last week announced the reformed CAP will be more sensitive to organic farming. This is welcome news for the organic sector in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Laura Stewart

Soil Association Scotland

Liberton Brae

Edinburgh