The Soil Association is based in Bristol, south west England but works across the UK and internationally.
We are strengthening the local support we provide to farmers, growers and other organic businesses by setting up organic centres across the UK. These centres will enable the Soil Association to provide more responsive and locally relevant services and leadership.
Our aim is ambitious - to take the message, skills and experience of the Soil Association to every part of the country.
To discuss developments in your area contact Katrin Hochberg, head of regional development, on 0117 914 2419 or email ff@soilassociation.org
England
Click on your region below:
The Soil Association's food and farming department are currently implementing a Defra-funded support programme for England's organic sector. The project aims to improve support for organic businesses in each of England's nine regions through providing better market information and targeted business support, as well as helping develop and support organic supply chains.
» more information on the project
Scotland
Soil Association Scotland (SA Scotland) was formed in June 2002 to bring the Soil Association's expertise closer to farmers and manufacturers in Scotland. The Scottish organic industry will still have access to the Soil Association's Bristol based team, but will benefit from the local knowledge of Scottish based staff. For more information about SA Scotland's services, contact Lyn Matheson, technical services and agricultural development officer, on 0870 120 2110. Visit Soil Association Scotland's website.
Wales
We support the work of Organic Centre Wales, an independent farming centre for Wales based at the University of Aberystwyth. They provide a range of services to producers, processors and other stakeholders. Visit Organic Centre Wales' website.
We also have an agriculture development officer dedicated to supporting producers and processors in Wales: Sian Thomas - Tel 0845 1212321 or e-mail wales.cert@soilassociation.org or sthomas@soilassociation.org
Northern Ireland
A recent feasibility study assessed the strategic requirements and need to develop the organic sector in Northern Ireland. We are using the results to support the work of dedicated staff who will work with and support farmers in the province. We attend the Balmoral show every year where you can meet Soil Association staff and get access to our range of technical publications. For information about organic farming support in Northern Ireland contact Greenmount Organic Unit, part of DARD.
Organic Action Plan Group – Northern Ireland (OAPGNI)
The Organic Lead Group was established in January 2005, with a membership drawn from organic producers in Northern Ireland, two UK certification bodies, representatives of the Northern Ireland Independent Retailers Trade Association and the Rural Development Council. The Group decided to re-name itself the Organic Action Plan Group – Northern Ireland (OAPGNI) at the outset, consistent with the other countries of the UK and the European Commission Communication of 2004 on the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming.
An Organic Action Plan was prepared during 2005 and launched in 2006 at the Balmoral Show. To view or download a copy of the organic action plan for Northern Ireland 2006 click here
Since the group was launched it has delivered in the following key areas:
- Supported DARD on development of appropriate policy for organic farming, specifically on the introduction of the new Organic Farming Scheme and ongoing payments to organic farmers to recognize the environmental benefits of organic farming as part of an Organic Option in the Countryside Management Scheme;
- Completed an Organic Market Study, including recommendations for development of the organic sector;
- Proposed organic initiatives as part of the Regional Food Programme;
- Implemented a well attended Organic Conference;
- Supported the FSIP Good Food Is In Our Nature promotional campaign;
- Initiated the production of educational materials on organic food and farming;
- Initiated the production of consumer promotional material;
- Submitted detailed critical response to the DoE GM Coexistence consultation
- Supported the establishment of an ‘All Ireland GM Free Zone’
- The Group keeps the Organic Action Plan 2006 under review. We depend on the commitment and enthusiasm of our members and the active and effective support of DARD, for which we are extremely grateful. I am pleased with the progress we have made and we continue to work on the specific tasks outlined in Organic Action Plan 2006. The Group believes that a new plan (for 2008-2009) will be necessary and we aim to prepare this for publication in early 2008.
To read the 2007 progress report click here
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