ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING TARGETS BILL

Early day motion 51, tabled 17 November 1999 by Joan Ruddock (Labour). Signed by 254 members.

That this House supports the Organic Food and Farming Targets Bill, which would require the drawing up of policies to ensure that, by 2010, at least 30 per cent. of United Kingdom farmland will be organic and that at least 20 per cent. of the food consumed in the United Kingdom will be organic; notes that such an increase in organic farming will provide innumerable benefits for consumers, farmers, the environment, and animal welfare; further notes that demand for organic production is increasing by at least 40 per cent. each year, but that 70 per cent. of the food consumed in the United Kingdom is imported; and notes approvingly the inclusion in the Bill of the clauses concerning the need to implement measures to ensure all sections of society have access to affordable organic food and that the market demand is met by the new United Kingdom production.

Signatures by party: Labour 166, Liberal Democrat 41, Conservative 19, Labour/Co-operative 12, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, DUP 1, Independent Labour 1, UKUP 1.