New plan to boost organic food and farming in Scotland 
A new action plan to help organic food and farming build a more sustainable future, regenerate the rural economy and conserve biodiversity and natural resources is being launched for Scotland. “Organic Ambitions” was funded by Scottish Government and produced by the Scottish Organic Forum following an extensive consultation. Wendy Seel, Chair of the Scottish Organic Forum said: "Organic Ambitions will … strengthen the capacity of Scotland’s organic farms to preserve and enhance natural capital (soil, clean air and water, biodiversity), and in turn create a more resilient food supply chain.”

An ambitious new action plan to help organic food and farming build a more sustainable future, regenerate the rural economy and conserve biodiversity and natural resources is being launched for Scotland.

Unveiled today (Wednesday 27 January) “Organic Ambitions: Scotland’s Organic Action Plan 2016 – 2020” will be further celebrated with a parliamentary reception (at 17:30) on 28th January, attended by Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment.

Outlining an Organic Vison for 2020, the Action Plan identifies the key challenges facing the development of Scottish organic food and the actions required to address them. Key to the strategy is spreading knowledge about the economic, environmental and social value of Scottish organic produce, increasing the strength of the whole supply chain and boosting skills through knowledge of best practice and training. Building resilience by strengthening the ability of the sector to conserve and enhance Scotland’s natural capital will also be vital. Work begins early this year on a programme to deliver these desired outcomes.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead said: “Scottish food and drink is a phenomenal success story and, as interest in organic produce increases, that sector clearly has an important role to play in continuing that trend. Much has been achieved over the past few years but there is the potential to do so much more.

“I want to see a strong organic sector in Scotland, one that is strategically supported and that can compete with the rest of the UK, EU and, indeed, the world. I also want to see a Scottish organic sector that is making an important contribution to Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation, by being self-sustaining, adding value to our environment as well as the economy. Partnership and positive collaboration are key to achieving these aims and this new action plan will surely assist in realising these ambitions.”

“Organic Ambitions” was funded by Scottish Government and produced by the Scottish Organic Forum following an extensive consultation. SOF members include Scottish Government, Soil Association Scotland, Scottish Organic Producers Association, Organic Growers Alliance, Caledonian Organics, Scottish Organic Milk Producers, the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, SRUC and SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, which also provides the secretariat.

Wendy Seel, Chair of the Scottish Organic Forum and founder of Aberdeenshire-based Vital Veg, said: "Organic Ambitions will build knowledge about organics, strengthen the organic supply chain and increase skills throughout the organic sector.

It will also strengthen the capacity of Scotland’s organic farms to preserve and enhance natural capital (soil, clean air and water, biodiversity), and in turn to create a more resilient food supply chain. Making change happen will involve partnership working between all those concerned about the future of food, farming and the environment in Scotland”.

Organic Ambitions has been well received by those involved in Scotland’s Food and Drink economy.

Pete Ritchie, Director Nourish Scotland, said “This ambitious plan charts a course for Scotland - like Germany, France, Denmark and many other countries - to develop a vibrant, co-operative, innovative and wealth-creating organic sector which produces excellent food while also helping Scotland meet its aspirations on climate change, biodiversity and water quality."

James Withers, Scotland Food and Drink CEO commented: “There are real opportunities for our organic sector in the coming years and this action plan can create a foundation to grasp the clear opportunities ahead.”

Scotland currently imports a significant proportion of produce, especially organic, and Scott Erwin, Member Director of Glasgow-based Greencity Wholefoods stated: “as a wholesaler we can see the demand that exists for organic produce within Scotland. The Organic Action Plan will provide a platform to ensure that in years to come, a higher proportion of the organic produce that we sell will be grown within Scotland.”

Organic Ambitions emphasises the need to strengthen cooperation within the sector. Ross Paton, Scottish Organic Milk Producers said they fully support Organic Ambitions as it is “important that all the bodies from farmers to procurement organisations are united and seen to be united in their ambitions.”

Food production has a very significant impact on the natural environment and on greenhouse gas emissions related to climate change. Environmental organisations support the initiative with Vicki Swales, Head of Land Use Policy, RSPB Scotland commenting: “Organic agriculture has a key role to play in conserving farmland wildlife and protecting the environment. RSPB Scotland wants to see the organic sector grow and welcomes Organic Ambitions as a way to make this happen”.

Claudia Rowse, Head of Rural Resources Unit Scottish Natural Heritage believes Organic Ambitions “will help contribute to the vision of Scotland becoming a world leader in green farming. It can also help contribute to achieving some of the objectives for sustainable land management and farmland biodiversity in Scotland’s Biodiversity Route Map 2020.”

Angela Mitchell, Acting Director of Soil Association Scotland said: “We welcome the new action plan and the Scottish Government’s continuing support for organics as a national priority. The actions it sets out have the potential to make real change in how Scotland farms and eats; as well as increasing sales of organic produce, and the amount of land in Scotland being farmed organically. This will be good for consumers, for farmers and producers, and for the environment.

“The plan is very ambitious. The challenge now will be to find ways to ensure that, even in the face of difficult economic times, the vision it sets out becomes a reality. It was created with input from a wide range of organisations interested in food, farming and the environment, and it is critical that we all continue to work together to implement it.

“Here at Soil Association Scotland we look forward to contributing to the success of the plan by building on our existing work through programmes like Food for Life to work with schools, public sector organisations, caterers and retailers to raise awareness about good food and organic produce. We also look forward to continuing to work with farmers, growers, processors and key partner organisations in order to support the organic sector in Scotland.”