The development of and prospects for organic farming in the UK

The organic sector in the UK is booming with the largest ever wave of farm conversions underway. Consumer demand is currently growing faster than supply. The evidence regarding the factors that have been critical, now and in the past, in causing producers to establish organic systems is reviewed. This review draws on the authors’ own work as well as that of other researchers in Europe and the USA. In the second part of the paper we report on a recent study of the factors that prompt organic producers to abandon registered organic production. This analysis is based on a survey of producers, formerly registered with the Soil Association, who have left the scheme since 1990. Finally, the paper considers the current policy regime with respect to organic farming, the scope for the continued growth of the sector and the debate regarding the design of future policy.