CENTRE FOR ORGANIC EXCELLENCE IN WALES

Early day motion 948, tabled 11 July 2000 by Jackie Lawrence (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House congratulates the National Assembly for Wales and Welsh Secretary for Agriculture Christine Gwyther in their work to promote organic farming in Wales; welcomes the opening this week of the Centre for Organic Excellence at the University of Wales Aberystwyth; and welcomes the partnership between the Welsh Development Agency, the University in Aberystwyth, IGER and the Organic Advisory Service which now offers advice and training on organic agriculture to farmers and others connected to the agricultural industry in Wales with the objective of enabling Welsh farmers to capitalise on the demand for organic produce estimated to be worth ú1 billion to the UK by 2001 and provide the opportunity to reduce the level of imports of organic produce into the UK which currently stands at 70 per cent. of demand.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Labour/Co-operative 3, Liberal Democrat 2, Plaid Cymru 1.