Options for assisting organic livestock farmers facing financial hardship in the current recession

Introduction

This paper sets out the issue, the case for and against, and a possible mechanism to help Soil Association certified farmers facing financial hardship due to the current economic recession negatively affecting demand for organic livestock products.

The Soil Association has asked Defra for their views on these options. Defra are seeking further clarification before giving their opinion.

We are now seeking views from Soil Association stakeholders. The Soil Association's independent Standards Board will then consider the results of the consultation and make a recommendation for or against taking some action to the Soil Association's elected Council.

In view of some misleading press reports, we want to be completely clear at the outset that whatever is agreed, no meat or dairy products that were produced under non-organic conditions would be sold as organic.