The call comes as Michael Paske, NFU vice president, revealed that some members of the group overseeing the implementation of the action plan have been dragging their heels over the introduction of some key aspects. One element cited is the introduction of an advisory committee based on the UK accreditation service to replace the existing UK register of organic food standards.

'At a time when the industry should be moving to implement the action plan, it is remarkable that some people now want to re-write parts of the strategy,' said Paske. 'There has been a proposal that the International Organic Accreditation Service could do the job, yet the organisation carries no official recognition and is largely self-appointed. This will hardly deliver the consumer confidence and transparency in organic standards the industry is striving for and that the action plan seeks to deliver.' The NFU has also expressed its concern that organic representatives oppose the action plan's proposal for production standards to be based on EU standards. 'The NFU feels that all certifying bodies should offer baseline certification,' said Paske. 'It is important that UK organic farmers are given the option of baseline certification through whichever certifying body they choose. Baseline organic producer certification must not be controlled by only one body.

'I can't believe any stakeholder would try to railroad the organic action plan when they were so closely consulted during its production. They had as much chance as others to influence the plan in its drafting now they must work with it.'

Topics