ORGANIC FARMING

Early day motion 735, tabled 25 January 2007 by Daniel Kawczynski (Conservative). Signed by 17 members.

That this House notes with concern recent comments by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that organic food is no more healthy for the individual, but welcomes her later comments that organic food is better for the environment in terms such as reduced use of pesticides; wishes to highlight a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) study (Energy use in organic farming systems (DEFRA, 2000)) that confirmed that organic farming requires 50 per cent. less energy overall than intensive non-organic agriculture, organic arable production being about 35 per cent. more energy efficient, with organic dairy farming rising to 74 per cent. more efficient; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State and others to promote organic food for its energy saving environmental impact as much as its taste and health benefits.

Signatures by party: Conservative 8, Liberal Democrat 8, Labour 1.