Anger as organic growth stalls

ENGLAND is failing to capitalise on the opportunities of the rapidly growing organic market to convert more farmland to organic production - leaving the door wide open to imports.

- ATHWENNA IRONS

That's the warning from the Soil Association as the latest Government organic farmland statistics reveal a “disappointing picture” for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the charity says; while Scotland enjoys its sixth year of fully organic land growth - demonstrating its “strong leadership” on nature friendly farming.

According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), total organic farmland (including land in conversion) in Scotland increased by 13% to 131,500 hectares in 2024, while England saw just a 1% rise to 502,800 hectares and Wales saw a decline of 11% to 68,300 hectares.

While there was positive growth in UK organic farmland in conversion with a 36% increase again this was dominated by new entrants in Scotland doubling (102% rise) organic farmland in conversion in 12 months to 26,500 hectares in 2024 up from 13,100 hectares in 2023. England saw just a 7% increase at 19,600 hectares up from 18,300 hectares in 2023 and Wales experienced a sharp decline of 45% from 4,200 hectares in 2023 down to 2,300 hectares in 2024.