Policy work at Organic Centre Wales:

As part of our contract with the Welsh Assembly Government, OCW has a remit to provide information and advice on the impact of policies on organic farmers and farming in Wales. This involves responding to any relevant consultation documents that are issued, and liaising with Assembly officials on matters such as the Organic Farming Scheme, and interactions with other agri-environment schemes such as Tir Gofal and Tir Cynnal.

For information on current Welsh issues click here.

OCW was set up after the Welsh Assembly Government identified the need for a centre to provide impartial information to farmers.

Under the Organic Action Plan prepared by the Welsh Agri-Food Partnership in 1999 (The Welsh Organic Food Sector: A strategic action plan; PDF format) a target was set of 10% of the Welsh agricultural sector to be organic by 2005.  

In 2002 the National Assembly's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee reviewed that target and the resources allocated to it (see Policy Review of Organic Farming). Our remit has since been extended to include marketing, public education and an increased focus on policy.

The Organic Strategy Group produced a second Welsh Organic Action Plan (pdf format) in 2004 (Summary here). The Minister, Carwyn Jones endorsed most of the 65 recommendations, but expressed caution over the GM recommendations and was reluctant to endorse suggestions that organic food is healthier than conventionally produced food. During 2006 and 2007 we are working to ensure that all those involved in the organic sector: producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and consumers, can work together and help build the thriving community of organic interests in Wales that is at the heart of the Action Plan.

For current statistics on the Welsh organic sector, see the statistics page.

For more information please follow the links below:

• Organic Wales - current issues 

• Policy consultation responses   

• Brief history of support for organic farming in Wales

• Organic Standards

• GM crops

You may also be interested in the following external websites: 

• Defra organic farming pages

• Defra Environmental Stewardship pages

• The English Action Plan

• Two Years on (English Action Plan follow up)

• The European organic action plan 

• IFOAM   See IFOAM FAQ for answers to some common organic questions.

• European pages on CAP reform

• Scottish Executive Agriculture pages

• Organic Conversion Information Service (England)

• Northern Ireland Red Meat Industry Task Force: Strategy Review

• Centre for Alternative Land Use (CALU)

Other organizations

• Soil Association

• Sustain

• Institute of Welsh Affairs

• The Wales Rural Observatory

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