The plan aims to increase England’s organic farmland to 10%
Organic sector welcomes government plan to grow British organic farming and food
For immediate release
Wednesday 14 October
Government plans to grow organic farming and food has been welcomed by the English Organic Forum (EOF) with the launch of a new Organic Action Plan for England today (Wednesday 14 October). Recognising organic systems can deliver for soil, water, wildlife and animal welfare, the plan is expected to prioritise growing domestic organic farming and supply chains. Responding to calls from EOF, the plan includes an ambition to increase England’s organic farmland from around 3% today to 10% in the next decade. It recognises that increasing domestic production would help reduce reliance on imported food while expanding farming systems that avoid synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and pesticides, according to the EOF. With food production increasingly exposed to extreme weather, volatile input costs and disruption to global supply chains, EOF says the plan also has an important role to play in strengthening the resilience of English farming. Organic systems build soil health and fertility, support greater diversity on farms and reduce dependency on imported synthetic inputs, helping create farming systems better able to withstand a changing climate while continuing to produce food. In response to rising consumer demand for organic produce, another focus of the plan will be supporting farmers and tackling supply chain barriers to help secure markets for British organic food and drink. Adrian Steele, Co-chair of the English Organic Forum and Soil Association Farming Advisor, said: “An Organic Action Plan for England is a win for the UK’s food and farming system. It recognises that more organic land can help the government to deliver its wider environmental goals, from healthier soils and cleaner water to more biodiversity and less reliance on artificial inputs like pesticides. With growing consumer demand for organic often being met by imports, we have long called for a more joined-up approach that breaks down supply chain barriers and helps farmers meet that demand. England has an innovative and entrepreneurial food and farming sector, and we welcome this plan which we hope will create the right conditions for organic farmers, growers and businesses to invest and thrive.”
Sos Stopes, Co-chair of the English Organic Forum and Policy Advisor to Organic Farmers & Growers CIC, said: “It is encouraging to see the Organic Action Plan for England published. The English Organic Forum, representing the organic sector, has worked hard with Defra on the development of a credible plan. Defra’s leadership and the positive support of the Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle for growth in the organic sector is a well deserved acknowledgement of the practical ways that organic farming helps deliver the government’s environmental ambitions.”
Action plan to tap into growing market demand
The action plan was announced on the eve of Thursday’s Organic Trade Conference 2026 , where Soil Association Certification is set to reveal the latest market growth trends to more than 200 leaders from across the organic sector. The sell-out event at the Barbican in London will bring together brands, retailers, producers and new market entrants to explore how growing consumer demand, retail interest and new policy momentum can be turned into sustained growth for the UK organic sector.
EOF says success will ultimately be measured by not simply the publication of an action plan, but by whether more farmers are able to convert, more British organic food reaches the market and a greater share of the growing consumer demand is met from domestic production.
For farmers to make that transition and for existing organic businesses to prosper, stronger, ringfenced financial support will also be needed through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). EOF members will continue to engage with Defra on how future SFI support can better enable the organic sector to thrive.
In the coming weeks EOF partners will continue to engage with Defra as the Organic Action Plan for England is delivered supporting its development into action and helping identify practical measures that can strengthen environmental resilience, domestic food production and long-term food security.
Source: press release issued by Soilassociation.