Although conversions of farms to organic agriculture have increased considerably over the last two years and support from consumers looks strong, the future of French organic farming remains uncertain, according to Actu-Environnement.
The country has as its objective to increase its organic farming area to 6 per cent of the total by 2012, and to 20 per cent by 2020.
However, Jacques Pior of APCA (the permanent assembly of the Chamber of Agriculture), argued that although producers received monetary support during the conversion period, they needed the state's continuous support in structuring the sector and ensuring supply matched demand.
Guy Kastler, of international peasant movement La Via Campesina, revealed his fear that French organic farmers would be unable to compete with lower-cost producers in Spain, Italy and Africa, meaning that much of the increase in organic sales in France would be down to imports.
He also complained that human labour was taxed more than fossil fuels, and that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) favoured the development of large specialised farms incompatible with organic agriculture.
'On the one hand, the conventional system of agriculture is doubly supported,' he said, 'while on the other, organic agriculture is doubly penalised.'
Mr Pior advised consumers to purchase seasonal and local organic produce, which he said was often cheaper than imported products.
