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Organic economics

UK food production has received significant bad publicity, seemingly on a regular basis, over the past decade. Much of the criticism centres on production processes and quality standards that are less than excellent. Ultimately it is the failure to aim for and to achieve excellence that has led to the problems experienced in recent years.

It is widely acknowledged that the UK cannot compete within the European market when it comes to cost in most fields of export. However, it can compete on quality!

Organic Britain

Organic products are one area where UK production is developing fast. In May 2000, The Independent newspaper ran an article about the rise in UK organic food sales, which have gone from an annual £200m to nearly £550m a year in just four years, and are predicted to hit £1bn at the end of 2001. We have almost reached the end of 2001, so it will be interesting to find out how accurate those projections were. Keep an eye on our News section for further updates.

No hidden costs

Organic farming and production methods keep the environmental impact of of their processes to a minimum, avoiding damage and pollution where possible. This means that organic production does not have the hidden costs of production that traditional methods usually incur. For example:

• raised pollution levels in the surrounding countryside

• chemical harm caused to birds, insects and wildlife

• unnecessary use of antibiotics helping to reduce the effectiveness of antibiotic medication in both animals and humans

• destruction of sensitive habitats through insensitive use of land

• high levels of waste production involved in the use of raw materials in production and distribution processes.

• various methods of waste processing technologies required to deal with ensuing rubbish produced, ranging from waste collection, landfill, furnace and recycling practices.

We are paying the price for traditional methods, it just isn't that apparent.