Votes cast on priorities ident= ified by the public at Welsh open workshops
(60 participants, 3 votes each)

“What should R&D deliver for the organic sector by 2015?”

12* Research into how to effectively communicat= e the health benefits of organic produce – e.g. Jamie Oliver.=

12. Research into technical issues of organic production – vegetable varieties, compost, weeds + diseases, +pests.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Animal breeds +health issues.=

11.Development of fair/affordable registration system for small producers

11. Investigate the impact of levels of soil mycorrhizae on productivity within organic systems

8. Comparison of ‘true’ (environ= mental) costs of conventional agriculture compared to organic production.

8. Crop varieties + livestock breeds for specif= ic localities (disease resistance, climate etc)

8 Comparison of health impact of consuming orga= nic as opposed to conventional for humans and livestock.

7. Development of system to get easy access to results of nutritional/quality/health research also from other countries]

7. Study nutritional effects of organic food wi= th special reference to storage and

processing]

7. Extend research into potato and other field = scale crops to include wire worm and mechanical weed control

6. Explore extended growing seasons. With prote= cted cropping and plant breeding – with especial regard to reduced light levels

6. Encourage people to grow some food plants to= help sustain their local environment (especially primary schools and councils)

6. Economics of whole organic food chain (inclu= ding hidden costs).

6. How to collect and spread information on sources of local organic food.

5. Effec= ts of fodder on animal products to benefit human health.

5. Furth= er research into the benefits of eating/drinking/wearing organic produce ̵= 1; including behaviour

4. Resea= rch into wider environmental benefits of organic production.

4. Effec= ts of organic food on human health (long-term epidemiological studies)=

4. Realistic/scientific basis for standards development.

4. Climate change (Cropping patterns etc.)=

4. Research into negative consumer perceptions = of organic food]

4 Research into food preferences & seasonal= ity restore concept cf consumer choice]<= /span>

4. Investigate how smaller organic producers ca= n make their produce more widely available e.g. local procurement for schools, hospitals, Farmers or WI markets, Farm shops, Web-based sales, Other method= s.

3. Develop measuring systems in order to correl= ate any relationship between stress and disease in animals

3. How to best capture (financial) benef= its for small producers. (farmers markets, sellin= g).

3 How to change consumer attitudes.<= /span>

3. Monitoring reasons why farmers choose to go = in – or out (or why not going in) – of organic production i= .e. support.

2. Research into what influences the food prefe= rences of young people]

2. What effect education at primary and seconda= ry levels about organic and conventional methods has on how children eat

2. Developing infrastructure giving access for producers (in local areas) to seeds, feeds, composts, abattoirs + outlets.

2.Crop rotation & design to optimise quality of organic food & fodder

2 Comparisons between nutrient, health + sensory values of organic food with conventional foods including GM.<= span style=3D'font-family:Arial'>

1. How to add value (H= oreb-type work) (Ready-made salads, ready meals).

0 Understanding genetic d= iversity (livestock) and identify and maintain useful traits.<= /span>

0.Alternatives to copper for blight management (potatoes).

[*The number precedi= ng the statement is the number of votes cast for that priority.]=

What are the most urgent information or knowledge gaps that R&D should address?

15*. (Identify &) Developing suitable varieties= and breeds for local environmental (soil and climate) conditions within the confines of organic regulations.

13. Research into the differences between organ= ic and conventional production – health, flavour, environmental effects (real costs) costs of production, sustainability (stress independent research).

11. The effects of consuming an organic diet on children’s health, growth, development and behaviour and how best to communicate any links.

11. Some evidence to support the argument that = better food =3D better behaviour and life chances esp. in children. Develop and validate research proj= ects to promote knowledge.

11. Loss of traditional husbandry skills/knowle= dge.

10. Lack of knowledge of the risks of GMOs.

9. A centre like HDRA and CAP for organic growi= ng in Wales. =

8 Begin to quantify health benefits of organic = food (meat) (esp. for children).

7 Strong, clear marketing concept/message for o= rganic (consumer lacks information

7. Looking into ways of raising public awareness & the provision of accurate accessible information about organic food

6 Exciting children about food as core subject]=

6 Lack of food and agriculture education in schools.<= o:p>

6 Developing systems to measure the correlation between stress and disease in livestock.

5. Animal welfare/feeding – mineral imbal= ances (soil & feed) – tolerance to environmental extremes (genetic trai= ts) – linkage between upland and lowland to address nutritional and adequ= acy supply issues.

5 Investigate the barriers to small producers w= ith regard to organic registration and development of alternatives.<= /span>

5. comparison and publication of nutritional quality of organic vs. non-organic crops. <= /o:p>

4. Development of orga= nic control of varroa in bees

3. Inter= nal and external parasites of sheep – control without chemicals.

3. Adapt ‘ideal’ organic s= ystem to realities facing local farmers.

3. Growi= ng crops for 100% organic (feeds) without loss of quality or production.<= /span>

2. Spread of disease in free-range poultry flocks – Biosecurity.

2. Resea= rch into the benefits of greater local consumption of organic produce and methods of improving this e.g. co-operatives, public procurement.

1. The e= fficacy of homeopathy.

1 Consum= er perceptions of provenance compared with actual origin (particularly meat) <= o:p>

1 Resear= ch ways to achieve a level playing field between conventional & organic agricul= ture

1 Cohere= nt vision of wider organic links to health, rural development etc. sustainabil= ity (also transport]

1. Resea= rch into crop rotations to optimise quality soil fertility and sustainability.<= /o:p>

1. Devel= oping local, central composting systems, using green waste that is suitable for organic systems.

0. Investigate financi= al incentives and improvements in infrastructure necessary to encourage more organic producers to convert.

0. Where= to buy – local and organic.

[*The number preceding the statement is the number of votes cast for that priority.]