Organic Centre Wales (OCW) has succeeded in securing nearly £2M over three years for work to support the development of organic businesses in Wales. See press release

There are five main elements to the work which will start over the next year.  The project will have dedicated staff based at OCW, and use existing partners, consultancies and businesses to deliver major elements of the project.

Recruitment for the posts will start shortly, but in the meantime see staff roles

OCW is currently building a new website, and this information will shortly move to the new pages and provide more information, but below is an outline of the project elements

1. SUPPORTING INNOVATION IN THE ORGANIC SECTOR:

The project will support:

• carbon footprint analysis in organic supply chains

• quality improvement programmes

• developing fair and ethical trading models

• innovative distribution models

3. DEVELOPING MARKETS FOR WELSH ORGANIC PRODUCE

• Production of generic material promoting Welsh organic businesses

• Trade Missions to support companies visiting overseas trade fairs

• Annual Trade Directory

• Develop public procurement projects through feasibility studies working with schools and hospitals

• Develop markets into food service and catering

• Develop new markets and support existing tourism businesses

4. SUPPLY CHAIN INFORMATION AND INTELLIGENCE

• Market reviews of Meat, Dairy, arable and horticulture sectors (2009 and 2012)

• Annual producer survey

• Annual processor survey

• Annual organic food and farming report

• Supplier development programme

• Training events for retailers and processors

• Baseline and final studies on Understanding Changing Consumer demands

• Supporting businesses by signposting other existing support available.

5. ADDRESSING KEY STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS

• Lack of outlets for dairy calves

• Lack of cereals for livestock feed (particularly pigs and poultry

• Lack of markets for light/store lambs

• Lack of Welsh horticultural production

Further proposals may be made on this form, which should be submitted to the Steering group via Sue Fowler for assessment.

The Steering Group

The Steering group is made from organic businesses and experts within Wales. Its purpose is to ensure the project remains relevant and integrated with other activities in Wales, the UK and EU.

It will meet twice yearly.

Other useful links:

See our Market Intelligence page

• Trade development Click here for sources of marketing advice for organic businesses,

•  2007 market reviews of the Welsh organic sector -  meat, dairy, horticulture and arable

• Conference report: Sustainable procurement in the public sector, March 2007

• Click here to access the information and resources

Other relevant projects

This work will build on the following projects:

Rafael (Renaissance of Atlantic Food Authenticity and Economic Links)

The RAFAEL project worked to promote the growth of the authentic food system sector and the benefits it delivers. For further details on the project see www.rafael-eu.com  See also the final report

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QLIF  The Integrated Project QualityLowInputFood ended in April 2009.

The project aims were to improve quality, ensure safety and reduce cost along the organic and "low input" food supply chains through research, dissemination and training activities and focused on increasing value to both consumers and producers using a fork to farm approach.

There is a series of leaflets that gives an overview of major results achieved in the project.

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This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development

For further information see the European Commission’s website relating to the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

For further information on beneficiaries receiving funding from the Rural Development Plan for Wales see: here