General information
Organic production is not an enterprise in the normal sense, but an integrated production system.
Each individual organic farm develops its own system based on many familiar, normal production practices, which are then guided and controlled by approved organic standards.
Organic standards have been developed to provide producers with clear rules as to how organic food should be produced to meet consumers’ demands.
EU organic legislation and certification
An EU Regulation (EC 2092/91 and many supplements) controls the production of organic food within the EU, as well as the importation of organic food from outside the EU. On 1 January 2009 a consolidated and revised Regulation (EC834/2007) will come into effect, replacing EC2092/91.
Food sold as organic anywhere in the EU must be certified as produced under an approved organic standard. Producers, processors and packers must all be registered with the EU as organic operators.
This certification is the consumers’ guarantee that food has been produced to approved organic standards.
It does not give any guarantee as to freedom from pesticide residues, nutritional value or any other ‘quality’.
National organic standards
Each EU member state has an obligation under the EU Organic Regulation to ensure that organic food produced in its jurisdiction meets the baseline standard set by EU legislation.
In the UK the baseline standard incorporates higher standards for some aspects of livestock production, as allowed by the EU Regulation.
Member states also approve independent certification bodies and their standards as meeting National and EU organic standards.
Independent organic standards
The standards adopted by the independent certification bodies all meet EU and National standards. However, any particular set of independent standards may have its own additional requirements over and above National standards.
Housing space requirements for different categories of livestock is one major area, but there are others.
It is therefore very important to choose a set of standards that meet your needs.
Changes in organic standards
EU organic legislation is continually evolving, resulting in the on-going adaption of National and independent organic standards so that they maintain their EU approved status. Operators themselves also have to implement any changes.
In addition, independent certification bodies may also make their own changes to their standards additional to those required to meet the National organic standard.
Certification bodies
Within the UK approved certification bodies carry out certification of producers, processors and packers of organic food. Certification involves the issuing of an annual licence to sell organic food.
Within Northern Ireland the main certification bodies actively carrying out certification at present are:
Soil Association
Tel: 0117 9142400
Organic Farmers and Growers
Tel: 01743 440512
Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA)
Tel: 00 353 43 42495
Organic Trust
Tel: 00 353 1 8530271
Organic Food Federation
Tel: 01760 720444
Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association (Demeter)
Tel:01453 759501
Their logos shown above often appear on certified produce and its packaging.
An EU Organic logo may become mandatory in the future, though independent logos will still be allowed.
Inspection
To become a registered organic producer, your farm must undergo an initial inspection based on previously submitted information and records, plus a detailed organic conversion plan.
Then, after initial certification and the first licence have been granted, an annual inspection is carried out to renew the licence.
Independent certification bodies and National bodies also reserve the right to carry out adhoc inspections during the year.
Certification costs
Each certification body sets its own rates for inspection and licensing. These are usually in the region of £250 - £600 plus VAT per annum.
It is important to choose a set of standards that meet your needs, one of which may be price.
Conversion
Organic certification is not a simple one-off procedure, and it does not involve ‘testing’ of land.
Land has first to undergo a ‘conversion’ period during which it is managed to organic standards, but food grown on it may not be sold as organic.
Detailed conversion plans have to be submitted to certification bodies, incorporating animal health and environmental management plans.
Once land has finished conversion, produce may normally be sold as organic.
Crops and forage
Crops and forage grown during the first year of conversion are normally utilised on-farm, and there is little market for them from other organic farms.
In simple terms crops and forage sown in land during its second year of conversion may be classed as ‘in-conversion’. This is again usually utilised on-farm, but there may be a limited market for it.
Sown after a second full year of conversion, crops may be classed as fully organic (also known as ‘symbol’ standard) when the certifying bodies' symbol or logo may be used as an identification mark indicating its organic status.
Livestock
Livestock already on a farm at the start of conversion can never be sold as organic.
Milk from dairy cows and meat from the progeny of breeding stock can be sold as organic following the specified conversion periods, usually at least two years.
With careful planning it is possible to sell organic stock from a farm about two years after the start of conversion. The actual time span will depend on the type of livestock and the production system.
Conversion planning
A very important part of converting a farm to full organic status is a realistic conversion plan which allows conversion to proceed as rapidly as practicable.
A sound conversion plan will :
- Produce a practical, balanced organic system
- Build the organic infra-structure and rotation for the farm
- Build up clover levels in swards
- Establish suitable herds, flocks and breeding policies
- Minimise financial pressures during the conversion
- Steadily build producer confidence
Keeping records
Full records of all production activities, inputs, purchases and sales must be kept and made available for the annual inspection. Accounts must also be made available.
It is very wise to start comprehensive record keeping right from the start of conversion.
Inadequate records can lead to loss of organic status and thus premium prices.
Conacre
Most organic production is based on owner occupied land. Conacre can be used providing it is taken under a longer-term agreement, and the owner approves its use for organic production.
The length of rental agreements must also cover the period of any support schemes.
Contractors
Contractors can be used in organic production providing that all organic standards are met, particularly in relation to hygiene and bio-security.
Organic Production assistance
DARD, through CAFRE and other Branches offers prospective organic producers a package of assistance including:
- Conversion planning assistance
- Business management information and advice
- Education and training
- Marketing information and advice
- Organic Farming Scheme information and advice (when scheme is in operation)
Organic Farming Scheme
DARD will offer an Organic Farming Scheme as part of its Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan 200713. Details will be available on website www.ruralni.gov.uk from mid-summer 2008)
The scheme is intended as an encouragement to conventional (nonorganic) producers to convert to organic production.
Countryside Management Scheme – organic option
An on-going post-conversion payment is also expected to be available for fully organic improved and semi-improved land, through the Countryside Management Scheme.
This option is intended to provide a small but significant element of financial security.
Contact for further information
Adrian Saunders
Greenmount Campus, ANTRIM, BT41 4PU
Tel: (028) 9442 6765
Mobile: 07887 708807
E-mail: adrian.saunders@dardni.gov.uk
April 2008