PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING TARGETS BILL (18 October 1999)

That this House supports the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill, which would require the drawing up of policies to ensure that, by 2010, at least 30 per cent. of UK farmland will be organic and that at least 20 per cent. of the food consumed in the UK will be organic; notes that such an increase in organic farming will provide innumberable benefits for consumers, farmers, the environment, and animal welfare; further notes that demand for organic production is increasing by at least 40 per cent. each year, but that 70 per cent. of the food consumed in the UK is imported; and notes approvingly the inclusion in the Bill of the clauses concerning the need to implement measures to ensure all sections of society have access to affordable organic food and that the market demand is met by the new UK production.

Sponsored by:
Dame Joan Ruddock (Labour)