Leading organic certification body, Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), has hit back at claims of 'loopholes', 'grey areas' and 'vested interests' in the control of organic farming.
The accusations were made by Lawrence Woodward, director of Elm Farm Research Centre, and focused particularly on organic eggs.
As reported in the Ranger last month, Mr Woodward claimed, among other things: that derogations continued to be given for the use of non-organic chicks, even when organic were available; that organic and non-organic eggs were packed on the same lines, implying that mixing could occur; that the certification was a business operated by vested interests; that progress toward 100 per cent rations was slow.
But OF&G said the issues were more complex than Mr Woodward had suggested and were governed by the realities of organic food production.
OF&G chief executive, Richard Jacobs, said: "This was quite a strong attack on the organic system operated in this country. There is a serious debate to be had and issues to be tackled, but it's certainly not all doom and gloom.
"Lawrence levelled a number of accusations at the system and the organic certifiers who operate it and I feel it's only fair those accusations should be properly addressed.
"Like absolutely anything in life, the organic certification system is not perfect. I think all of us involved in it recognise that. Lawrence Woodward has chosen to be negative about this. We would prefer to look from the positive perspective that we are working towards improvement, but we must operate within the realms of reality."
OF&G accepts that some derogations are still being issued for pullets, but these are now solely for the use of so-called 'part-organic pullets'—introduced this year as a step towards full supply of completely organic birds. The birds must be raised to organic feed and veterinary standards, but there is no requirement for organic certification. There are no derogations to use non-organic pullets.
Richard Jacobs added: "We agree that the ideal is for everything to be 100 per cent organic. But this is the real world. There aren't enough pullets. So what do we do? There is not enough feed. So what do we do?
"We are not aware that organic chick or pullet producers are going out of business. The sector is made up of relatively small scale organic pullet rearers and chick producers, with large scale egg producers. The egg producers want to go to one company and get one batch of birds because of management and, particularly, bio-security issues. Mixing lots of flocks doesn't work on that front.
"It's regrettable if people are not getting their birds sold and we would like to hear about it so that we can add them to our lists, which are available on our website, and send licensees in their direction. Our licensees must try the suppliers on our lists and, if they still request the derogation, must justify it. Reasons often include not being able to get the correct breed, they can't get the numbers or they can't be delivered in time.
"If Lawrence Woodward is aware of any suppliers we don't know of we'd be delighted to hear from him. Believe me, we would rather not be issuing derogations, if for no other reason than they are complicated and expensive to operate."
He added: "We should make clear that we have not been well served by our political masters in the UK and Europe in the way they have handled the development of the standards, particularly with regard to the part-organic pullet ruling from Europe. They saw the situation as having organic and non-organic and, in the middle, as a stepping stone, a part-organic bird.
"Under the part-organic rules premises do not need to be registered but must feed and manage to full organic standards. They thought that would prepare pullet rearers for the move to full organic. But in the UK units are set up for rearing in sheds. When we go to a fully organic standard there is no free range on these properties. It has been very poorly thought out, especially because it is not inspected and certified."
Mr Jacobs was scathing about Mr Woodward's claim that certifiers were businesses with vested interests.
"First of all, the certification bodies are all approved by Defra and inspected by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This is a rigorous process that looks at all aspects of our operations and performance.
"Secondly, having a variety of certifiers brings choice to the market. While we all work to the UK standard, licensees may find that efficiency, price and customer support are the differential. There would be none of that choice if the system was operated by a single public body. Nor can I see it becoming any cheaper if that were the case!"
Mr Woodward's criticism of slow progress towards 100 per cent organic rations also came under fire from OF&G, which points out practical barriers to speeding the process. Not least of these is a lack of the necessary inputs, particularly protein crops and grains. Already these shortages are pushing up prices—a situation only set to get worse as the non-organic portion of the rations moves inexorably towards 100 per cent.
Mr Jacobs said: "There is still debate to be had on whether a 100 per cent organic ration can provide suitable nutrition. Some say yes, some say no. This needs time and careful progress to the desirable 100 per cent figure. We want to see the time leading up to the 2012 end of the derogation used to solve that problem and we need to get it right. OF&G is actively pushing forward with meetings with the industry to progress this.
"Lawrence also claimed that the Government was being lobbied to extend the feed derogation beyond 2012. As someone closely involved in this sector I can say I am completely unaware of any such lobbying—as are my contacts at Defra whom I have asked about this!"
The EFRC director also criticised the packing of non-organic and organic eggs on the same lines, of which Mr Jacobs said: "I think Lawrence is really stretching credibility with this one! The reason the organic regulations exist is to monitor and regulate such activity.
Licensees must demonstrate rigorous systems and record keeping to ensure separation. This is now also actively overseen by the Egg Marketing Inspectorate. Would he prefer to insist on completely separate operations and thereby kill the supply of organic eggs by pricing them out of the market? That wouldn't help the producer, processor, consumer or the welfare of the animals that enjoy life in an organic system."
Mr Jacobs added: "I can say honestly that from my point of view here at OF&G the organic certification system is operated with rigour and integrity by people who believe in and care about the benefits it brings at all levels. If he has evidence to challenge that I would wish to see it as soon as possible or for it to be handed to the relevant authorities for further investigation.
"Everyone needs observers and critics to keep them on their toes, but we would prefer criticism based on measurable evidence."
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