Organic sales go up, and the otherwise grim State of Nature report finds that organic farms host 50% more wildlife than their conventional neighbours
Sustain member the Soil Association is celebrating, after market research found that organic sales were up 5.6% in the 52 weeks to August 13, meaning the organic market is set to break the £2 billion mark this year, rivalling pre-recession highs.
At least as significant, though, was the thumbs-up given to organic methods by the otherwise dismal 2016 State of Nature report, recently published by a collaboration of 50 wildlife and environmental organisations. The report found that the UK countryside is extremely depleted, with more than half of the species studied being in decline and one in 10 in danger of disappearing. The main culprit identified by the report was intensive farming. Organic farms, by contrast, were found to contain 50% more wildlife than their conventional neighbours.
Read more on the Soil Association website here, and find out here how Sustain is helping more and more people to boost their wellbeing by growing organically.
Published Friday 30 September 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
