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IN CONVERSION GRAIN IN ORGANIC DIETS

Posted on Friday, 25 April 2008 09:12AM by
PRESS RELEASE NEWS FROM HI PEAK FEEDS ………… April 22, 2008 IN-CONVERSION GRAIN IN ORGANIC DIETS MUST BE UPHELD Calls from some quarters to stop the use of in-conversion grain in organic livestock diets is misplaced and would act as a major disincentive for would-be entrants into the sector. Qualifying grain has to be in its second year of conversion and according to the managing director of a leading organic feed manufacturer, the premium it attracts is a much-needed lifeline for hard-pressed producers. He claims its withdrawal would pull prices down to conventional levels and do nothing to improve the UK’s poor position of 25% self sufficiency in home grown organic cereals. Ian Proctor of Derbyshire-based Hi Peak Feeds of Killamarsh says: “Whenever possible we have always resisted the use of conventional feed in organic rations, often believing policy to be too relaxed. But to compare second year conversion with conventional grain is entirely to miss the point. “The grain in question is well on the way to becoming fully fledged organic, and subject to the same husbandry disciplines. Its current 30% usage in organic rations means a greater proportion of home grown cereals can be utilised, attracting more producers on to the organic ladder. Second year conversion grain typically fetches a price midway between organic and conventional and with home produced organic cereals only able to provide a quarter of our national requirement; the current policy is a good initiative for greater domestic supply. More…. “The organic food chain must become more reliant on British produce - something that appeals to the consumer and carries a genuine premium,” he said. He went on to comment that Hi Peak Feeds’ policy was to buy ingredients from this country wherever possible, and it would continue to lobby DEFRA for further arable-conversion incentives which had historically lagged behind the livestock sector. -ends- Further information from: Ian Proctor Managing Director Hi Peak Feeds Ltd Tel: 0114 248 0608 Email: ian@hipeak.co.uk Note to editors: The rate at which in-conversion cereals can be included in organic rations by DEFRA is 30%; but because of the present cereal shortage in general, a temporary sanction of 50% has been approved. Most of the Sector Governing Bodies have opted to operate to the temporary 50% rule for their licensee producer members. To date the Soil Association has chosen to uphold the normal 30% rule for its members.
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