ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING TARGETS

Early day motion 43, tabled 6 December 2000 by Joan Ruddock (Labour). Signed by 268 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 176, Liberal Democrat 42, Conservative 22, 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.