Organic milk production is going through a difficult period, but Lancaster farmer Paul Casson believes that there remains a sound and growing market for organic produce, NEIL RYDER reports. There remains a sound, long term base for efficient organicmilk production as the market settles down to a closer balance between supply and demand believes Lancashire dairy farmer. Paul Casson of Beaumont Gate Farm, Slyne, Lancaster. He also believes that there will inevitably be a 'shake down' both in organicdairying and in the wider sphere of organic livestock farming when the existing Soil Association allowance for the feeding of up to 10 per cent non-organic ingredients in the diet will come to an end in 2005. From then on only accredited organic feedstuffs will be allowed. In addition, 2005 will see many organic farmers coming to the end of the five year period in which they are locked into organic production as part of their conversion agreement. "There is little doubt that some organic farmers will return to conventional production. Around 2005 we will start to see which farmers are committed to organic farming in the long term, and those who entered the conversion schemes largely for the support payments available.
展开▼
