Attitudes Towards Conversion to Organic Production Systems: a study of
farmers in England
| Abstract: |
This
report describes the attitudes of converting and conventional producers in
England to organic production. In 2000, a telephone survey was conducted
of
farmers in three groups: those who were converting, those who had
contacted OCIS but decided not to convert, and a random sample of
conventional farmers. The majority of converting farmers gave concerns
about agrochemicals and fears about the future profitability of
conventional farming as their main reasons for going organic. Marketing
was not seen as an obstacle to conversion. Conventional farmers thought
that advice and information on organic production were easily obtained,
but converting farmers did not agree, suggesting that there was a shortage
of more advanced knowledge. Non-converters gave financial viability,
environmental aspects and the Organic Farming Scheme as important factors
in any future decision to convert. |
| Keywords: |
organic conversion; sociology; attitudes |
| Authors |
Peter Midmore, Susanne Padel, Heather McCalman,
Jon Isherwood, Susan Fowler and Nicolas Lampkin |
| Date: |
March 2001 |
| Format: |
PDF (requires Adobe Acrobat) |
Published
by the Institute of Rural Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth
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