The organic food industry has blasted Defra secretary David Miliband after he said there was no proof that organic produce was healthier than conventional food.
Miliband said buying organic food was a “lifestyle choice” and conventional produce should not be thought of as “second best”.
“[Organic produce] is only four per cent of total farm produce, not 40 per cent, and I would not want to say that 96 per cent of our farm produce is inferior because it’s not organic,” Miliband told the Sunday Times.
Peter Kendall, president of the National Farmers’ Union, agreed that he had seen “no evidence” to prove organic produce is better for you.
He said: “If there’s a small but growing percentage of consumers who want a different product, then that’s a great opportunity for members. But I have a real problem with conventional methods being demeaned at every opportunity.”
Organic food sales in the UK increased by 30 per cent to £1.6 billion in 2006, according to the Soil Association. Studies show a difference between organic and conventional products, it added.
Soil Association director Patrick Holden said: “I actually think it is rather sad that because it suggests that David Miliband is profoundly ignorant of the benefits that are motivating people to buy organic food. The industry has grown without the support of the industry of the government and we thought we finally had it on our side. I find it amazing the minister is being so dismissive.”
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