The purpose of this report is to see whether there is a future in organic farming.

Kyle Wingham 56320

Purpose of report. The purpose of this report is to see whether there is a future in organic farming.

I want to see if the trend has changed in the way people view organic products in the 21st century.

Methods of research.

The different forms of research I could use are...

Primary research- the first-hand collection of new and original information directly from the public. Secondary research- Looking into and examining existing published information e.g. the Internet, magazine, company brochure, school handouts etc.

Organic definition.

Organic farming involves the production of food using management practices which aim to avoid the use of agrochemical inputs and which seek to minimize damage to the environment and wildlife. Organic farmers aim to build up natural fertility on the farm by the recycling of manures and composts and the use of rotations. Weeds are controlled mainly by choice of varieties or by mechanical means. Farmers rely on crop rotations including legume crops to restore nitrogen, crop residues such as using cornstalks as fertilizers to add nutrients back into the soil, compost, animal manure, and biological pest control for instance, introduction of viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi to control pests. In animal husbandry there is stress on extensive systems and the non-use of most veterinary medicines (although such medicines must be used where necessary to avoid suffering). Organic farming is controlled by EC Regulation 2092/1991 (as amended) which makes it an offence to sell products as organic unless produced in accordance with the rules set out in the Regulation by farmers and others who are registered with approved organic sector bodies and subject to annual inspection by them. The aim is to create an audit trail so that consumers can be assured that food sold as organic is produced to a standard, to protect genuine producers from fraudulent competition, and to smooth the progress of trade within the Community.

Business reasons for organic farming

There was an assessment of the total external costs of UK agriculture. This report on the 'external' costs of farming, in September 2000, showed that the indirect costs of non-organic farming to the taxpayer are amounting to over £2.3 billion annually in the UK. This is because of the cost of addressing the negative effects on the environment and health. It indicates major potential for economic savings with widespread organic farming.

Ethical reasons for organic farming

In Organic definition the ethics are basically talked about, but I will try to elaborate on some of the topics in the definition.

Why people want to avoid the use of agrochemical inputs is because they don't want to damage the environment. Why the consumers do not want animals ridden with a huge host of unnatural

Products (anti-biotic) is because, it has been proven that more natural meat is better for your health and they want the animal to of had a more natural, less stressful life.

People also prefer organic ...

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Ethical reasons for organic farming

In Organic definition the ethics are basically talked about, but I will try to elaborate on some of the topics in the definition.

Why people want to avoid the use of agrochemical inputs is because they don't want to damage the environment. Why the consumers do not want animals ridden with a huge host of unnatural

Products (anti-biotic) is because, it has been proven that more natural meat is better for your health and they want the animal to of had a more natural, less stressful life.

People also prefer organic farming because it uses crop rotation, which is beneficial towards the environment. Treating the soil and growing environment as a resource to be husbanded for future generations, rather than mind for short term gain.

Task 2

Ownership - aims and objectives

I have decided to do some research on an organic retailer on the web called Fieldfare organics, (www.fieldfar.organics.com)

Fieldfare Organics was started in 1993; by Ray and Sandie Callow, as a husband and wife partnership – the concept was to deliver to regular customers in the Berkhamsted, Tiring and Hemel Hempstead areas all their organic seasonal fruit and vegetables each week. From this initial concept a business slowly but steadily grew. They quickly realized that only supplying seasonal produce was not sufficient, and they soon added imported fruit - bananas, lemons etc, and out of season salads. The idea of adding more produce grew as fast as the customer base, and soon dairy produce, fresh bread and a variety of whole foods were added to their list of wares.

I now found that this information was sufficient for an organic business and decided to further my research for anon-organic company. I am researching Safeway's (www.safewav.co.uk)

They focus on the product and the price - they want to be recognized for offering great value and above all, great offers. There highly successful deep-cut deals programmed communicate great value direct to the customers. Stores leaflet over 9 million homes with around 50 and 60 local deals every week. This has attracted over one million new customers in the past 18 months.

The Soil Association

The Soil Association is a charity reliant on donations and on the support of its members and the public to carry out its work.

At the start of 2002 the policy commission's report on the future of farming and food stated the need for fundamental change in the direction of UK agriculture.

As a result, the government has been working with key stakeholders including The Soil Association to produce an organic action plan for England. This plan, published on 29 July 2002, puts into practice many of the actions the Soil Association has been calling for over 10 years:

New cash for organic farmers.
Organic food for schools and hospitals.
Supermarkets agree to increase the proportion of organic food they source from UK

Farmers.

HDRA

HDRA was conceived as a membership organization - a club for experimenting gardeners. Because space at Bocking was limited, members were encouraged to do experiments in their own gardens and report their findings back to headquarters. Cherry Hills, Lawrence's wife, proffered advice on nutrition and health long before it became fashionable to do so. Many of the current concerns, such as the link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease, were first suggested in early HDRA newsletters.

For ten years, Lawrence Hills received no pay whatsoever, funding the work from his Observer articles. The Association grew slowly through the '60s, and by the end of the decade had a loyal band of around 17,000 members. Mainstream scientists, however, looked on it as being cranky and Luddite. The '70s changed all that as the first stirrings of the environmental movement started to gain momentum.

Defra

Aims

Sustainable development, which means a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come, including:

A better environment at home and internationally, and sustainable use of natural resources;
Economic prosperity through sustainable farming, fishing, food, water and other industries that meet consumers' requirements;
Thriving economies and communities in rural areas and countryside for all to enjoy.

Objectives

To protect and improve the rural, urban, marine and global environment and to lead integration of these with other policies across Government and internationally.
To enhance opportunity and tackle social exclusion in rural areas.
To promote a sustainable, competitive and safe food supply chain which meets consumers' requirements.
To promote sustainable, diverse, modem and adaptable farming through domestic and international actions.
To promote sustainable management and prudent use of natural resources domestically and internationally.
To protect the public's interest in relation to environmental impacts and health, and ensure high standards of animal health and welfare.

Food Standards Agency

The Food standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog set up by an act of Parliament In 2000 to protect the public's health and consumer Interests In relation to food.

Between 2001 and 2006, the Agency's key aims are to:

Reduce food borne illness by 20% by improving food safety right through the food chain.
Help people to eat more healthily
Promote honest and informative labeling to help consumers.
Promote best practice within the food industry.
Improve the enforcement of food law
Earn people's trust by what we do and how we do it

Task 3

Five years ago organic produce made up just 0.4% of total food sales in the UK.

By this year the figure stood around 1.5% and it is estimated by 2006 it will be 5%.

Most of that is imported but the growth is pulling in British farmers.

In 1996, 848 farms were organic but the figure has risen to 3,563.

It is expected that within five years nearly 8,000 farmers will be operating organically.

In 1999/00 the figure for organic food sales in the UK was £605m. In 1996/97 the total retail value of organic food sales in the UK was £200m, in 1997/98 £260m and in 1998/99 £390m.

Total household food and drink sales for 1999/00 was £54,152bn so organic food accounts for approximately 1-2% of all food sales. Consumer demand for organic food has risen 55% in the last year.

1: Fruit, vegetables and herbs.

2: Cereals baked.

3: Dairy.

4: Meat.

5: Eggs.

6: Baby foods.

7: Multi in gradients.

8: Beverages.

My Analysis of the figures that I have found, is that there is a rising need of organic products, therefore I have a very strong indication, that my answer to my original coursework question, is that yes it does look like there is a future in organic farming.

Task 4

From my questionnaire I can see that the main reason why the public eats organic products is for their health.

The main reason why people do not eat organic products is that they cost too much.

This indicates to me that if the price starts to come down that there is a future of organic farming.

Task 4c

An advantage of being a small organic producer such as Boathouse Farm Shop would be, that they would be more in touch with there market and cater for their clients needs. A disadvantage of being such a small organic producer like Boathouse Farm Shop would be, that you have such a small pool of cliental that they will never make the big money and if some of their cliental happened to move away or stopped buying their products or even if they had some new competition they would have quiet a significant drop in sales, which would result in a loss of profit or maybe even total closer.

I think that boathouse farm could use ITC to be able to advertise their products better, or maybe they could set up an address on the internet that would allow their clients to place their orders with less hassle, and it would attract a whole new range of clients who probably would of never heard of them before.

Other ways in which a business could use databases would be to keep track of the clients and their record of sales.