Following discussions with licensees and members, the Soil Association has submitted a proposal to request changes to the Cattle Compensation (England) Order 2012 to more accurately reflect the difference in price between organic and conventional cattle.
Liz Bowles, Head of farming commented ‘We are taking this action to support our licensees affected by TB and hope that ultimately we will achieve changes to TB compensation arrangements for organic cattle’.
The current compensation rates provide a premium for pedigree cattle of all types; the Soil Association has proposed that a similar approach should be put in place for organic cattle.
Evidence of price differentials between organic and conventional cattle has been gathered by the Soil Association over the past 24 months forming the basis of the appeal . The current evidence shows a differential of 10 – 36% for finished organic cattle and 6- 23% for cull cattle in comparison to non-organic.
Given this picture the Soil Association with the support of other interested parties have requested that Defra review its compensation tables for organic finished and cull cattle to reflect the ongoing premium for organic cattle over and above non organic cattle.
