Defra has established an advisory committee on organic standards as a successor to the United Kingdom register of organic standards.
The committee will advise the government on organic standards, approval of organic certifying bodies and research and development.
Andrew Jedwell has been appointed chairman of the committee on a three-year term of office from November 1 2003. Jedwell is an independent food industry consultant and founder of Meridian Foods who specialises in organic processed products.
Organic farming minister Ben Bradshaw said: "It is fortunate that we have such key figures with a breadth of knowledge from all angles of the organic sector representing all parts of the UK. There is a genuine strength of feeling from consumers and producers alike for the development and encouragement of systems, which respect the environment and encourage sustainable forms of production. Organic systems clearly fulfil these requirements."