Growth in UK organics is on the right track as Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) agreements reach the 1,000 mark.
The area under organic production is also set to rise as 30 per cent of the 95,482 hectares entered into OELS is under conversion.
OELS was launched in March 2005 to encourage an expansion of organic production in the face of increasing demand and to urge farmers to deliver simple but effective environmental management.
Phil Stocker from the Soil Association described crossing the 1,000-application landmark as a great achievement.
“These farmers include a blend of newly converting farmers taking up the conversion option, and longstanding organic farmers who are finally getting a reward for the environmental benefits of organic farming. OELS is proving to be an effective mainstream mechanism for incentivising and rewarding organic farming,” he said.
The stewardship offers top-up payments to convert established conventionally managed top-fruit orchards and improved land to organic production in addition to the scheme’s £60 per hectare payment rate.
It can be combined with Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) options to deliver environmental benefits in high-priority situations and areas.
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