The December issue of the World Apple report, published by Washington-state based Belrose Inc warns that the organics and conventional sectors are set for a bust-up. With claims from the organics lobby that their produce tastes better and is safer, the implication is that conventional produce lacks taste and carries health risks.

'The many producers and suppliers that already handle both organic and conventional produce could find themselves in the awkward position that sales claims for their organic produce are causing buyers and consumers to be more suspicious of their conventionally produced products,' warns the report.

It also says that many producers find it hard to meet conflicting goals of both retailers and consumers for so-called natural products without the loss of quality that usually comes with it, and all within the sometimes 'arbitrary' constraints of an accredited organic system.

Time is running out for the resolution of this issue before damage is done to demand for produce and suppliers world-wide face uncertainty as they make long-term decisions on production and marketing. 'Some way needs to be found to allow the organic segment to pursue its goals without damaging total produce demand,' concludes the report.

Meanwhile, this week on BBC1's Countryfile programme, scientists at Liverpool University raised the issue of the cocktail-effect of pesticide residues with their latest research. They warn that not enough is known of the impact on human health of a variety of residues while testing in the UK is concerned simply with individual pesticides.

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