A cash boost announced by Government last month will allow farmers who convert to organic to receive up to a third more in payments than in 2022.
Farmers entering a new scheme with Countryside Stewardship will now benefit from a 25% increase in payment for goods farmed on organic land.
Payment for all farming which benefits the environment has been boosted, but organic has received a significantly higher increase than the average 10%. This upper level of support follows a rate hike in 2022 when payments for organic rose between 46-500% for farmers entering a new scheme.
The latest cash boost will enable some farmers who convert to organic to earn ‘twice as much as before from Government incentives in Countryside Stewardship agreements that will run for five years’, according to Soil Association Certification.
A number of new Sustainable Farming Incentives also present options for nature-friendly farming practices which are in harmony with organic principles.
Organic is receiving renewed Government support
Adrian Steel, organic sector advisor to the Soil Association, comments: “All farmers have faced huge challenges during the last few years with the combined impacts of the pandemic, the Ukraine war, post-Brexit policies, extreme weather and the cost of living crisis. But it is clear that there are big opportunities for sustainable farming, and organic is receiving renewed Government support.
“Times are undoubtedly hard but both governments and citizens across the UK want to see action to protect nature and we know that agroecological and organic farming holds the solution to producing good food while protecting the environment.
“We are pleased to see this renewed commitment to rewarding organic farming. Alongside continued growth in the market, this should give farmers confidence in switching to or maintaining organic practices, despite the short-term uncertainty facing every farm.”
