According to an article published in the Independent on Sunday on January 20, organic food body the Soil Association decided not to publish a report which found that organic foods were considerably more expensive in UK supermarkets than other retail outlets.

The study on pricing was written by University of the West of England senior economist Anna Ross and found that a basket of organic goods purchased in farm shops cost 63 per cent more at Tesco, 59 per cent more at Sainsbury's and 38 per cent more at Waitrose.

In the newspaper report, Soil Association director Patrick Holden admitted that the study had been due to be published in the association's newsletter. But it was buried as he feared the message the study's results give would encourage supermarkets to lower their prices applying unbearable pressure on organics suppliers which could send some to the wall.

Dr Ross was reported describing the Soil Association as being 'too busy trying not to upset the supermarkets.' The story breaks as the association is due to celebrate its annual conference this week. One of the event's major themes is that in the UK, consumers do not pay enough for their food.

And the Organic Targets Campaign (OTC), supported by the Soil Association and some 100 other organisations, including some retailers, is rallying on Parliament on January 23 calling for more support for organic farming. Tesco and Safeway are the only major multiples which have failed to give their backing to the OTC.

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