Features

A United Organic Movement

David Storey interviews the Soil Association Director, Francis Blake.

'The Irish organic sector seems to be at the point we were at in the UK four or five years ago,' commented Francis Blake of the Soil Association who was in Killarney for the recent IOFGA conference. According to Francis, who is the standards and technical director of the UK's largest organic association, the fact that Irish processors are now beginning to take an interest in organic food is a sign that the organic sector here is beginning to make its mark.

Francis was impressed with the quality of Irish organic produce. But he said he was even more impressed with the commitment of the government to the Irish organic sector. 'In the UK we have to do everything in spite of the government, whereas here you appear to have their support.'

Francis identified the high level of imported organic produce as a problem that this country shares with the UK. In both countries demand continues to grow faster than supply and the deficit is made up by an increasing volume of imports. 'You have the same problem as us', he said, 'Too much of your produce is imported. I suspect most of this is imported into the UK first and then shipped over to Ireland.'

According to Francis, the channels of distribution in Ireland are much the same as in the UK. Although market stalls and box deliveries are on the increase, the bulk of organic produce is sold to the multiples. 'Supermarkets go against the aims of the organic movement', he says. 'But you've got to take the produce to the people in supermarkets. Growing numbers of consumers are buying organic produce but you've got to put the produce right under people noses.'

Francis believes that buying locally is an important part of the organic message. 'But not exclusively', he says. 'I still want to buy my organic avocados from abroad. However, you need to educate the public that buying organic should mean buying locally.'

Soil association, with 150 employees, has considerably more resources than the organic sector in Ireland. To encourage local sales they have a specific department devoted to promoting market stalls, farmer's markets and box delivery systems and to persuade consumers of the benefits of buying local produce.

The Soil Association's many surveys into consumer attitudes consistently show that health concerns are the main reason why people buy organic food. That's why they recently commissioned a major report which examined all the research that was available to prove that eating organic food was a healthier option. 'Consumers are primarily concerned about pesticide residues and nitrate levels', says Francis. 'Environmental concerns and animal welfare are also of importance to consumers, but they are lower down their list of priorities.' According to Francis much more research into organic methods is necessary. 'Research is absolutely critical', he says. 'Unfortunately the EU doesn't recognise the necessity for organic research.'

Despite all the current positive indicators in the UK and Irish organic sectors, one major barrier to the growth of the organic food industry remains. The fact that in both countries the organic movement is split into several different associations is a continuing obstacle in the path of future progress. 'We have the same situation in the UK as you have in Ireland', says Francis. In fact in the UK we used to have only six organic organisations - now we have twelve. We need to have one certification body with one symbol and one set of standards. At least in Ireland you have a joint set of standards - we haven't managed that yet in the UK. In Ireland the government is in favour of one body and yet still the organisations here don't seem to want it.'

Apart from the obvious disadvantages of a split movement, Francis sees dangers ahead if the movement remains fragmented. 'Now that the organic movement is growing there is a danger of it being taken over by purely commercial interests who have no interest in organic food. You could end up with a commercially motivated certification body whose only aim was to make money.'

But despite all the problems, the organic movement is experiencing a wave of growth in both countries. Looking to the future, Francis sees a totally organic food sector as the ultimate goal. 'It might not happen in my lifetime but eventually the choice will have to be made between going down the biotech route or choosing a sustainable system of farming. As in the UK there is no reason why Ireland could not be a hundred percent organic - it's only a question of time.'

Add your comment

Your name:
Your email:
Subject:
Comment:
Word verification:
	Post Preview

yvComment v.1.18.3