OF&G Organic

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OF&G Manifesto: Championing organic within agricultural policy

OF&G is calling for organic to be more openly recognised within the new agricultural policy.

Organic is a transformative thread in farming policy. Organic farming is an essential element in a wider discourse about how we can alleviate the social and environmental impacts of our farming and food system. We should embed organic in future farming policy.

Our society is reliant on finite resources, we all need to be more careful in how we use these precious assets.

To strike the right balance in the UK’s approach, policy makers and those committed to developing an effective future-oriented policy must take a more consistent open-minded appraisal of the potential for organic.

Our politicians and decision makers must be bold and resolute. They have an enormous responsibility to protect our environment and reduce the use of products derived from fossil fuels. They really must support organic farming, which is tried and tested. Time is running out.

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Equally, the UK organic sector needs to regain its confidence. Those who are exponents of organic principles and practise can be justifiably proud of what they do. We invite government, environmental NGOs and colleagues across the food and farming sector to wholeheartedly embrace organic.

To read the OF&G manifesto and to access a downloadable copy go to -
https://ofgorganic.org/news/of-g-manifesto-championing-organic-within-agricultural-policy

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UPDATE 23 MARCH 2022
BASIS organic farming course dates 2022

Organic certifier, OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers), in collaboration with independent awarding body, BASIS and agronomy advisers, Abacus Agriculture have announced 2022 dates for the newly launched Foundation Award in Organic Farming, following a successful pilot.

This year’s Harper Adams University accredited level four courses will each take place over four days:

1 – 4 March at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

19 – 22 April - CANCELLED

*** NEW DATE ***
14 – 17 June at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire

19 – 22 July - CANCELLED

27 - 30 September, venue to be confirmed.

To learn more about the Foundation Award in Organic Farming visit the BASIS course information page.

To enquire about booking a place please contact admin@ofgorganic.org

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Return to physical inspections only from 1st March

For the last two years, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been undertaking remote inspections of many operators and not physically accessing operators’ sites. This had been possible due to a derogation away from the need for a physical on-site inspection as required in the organic regulations (known as COVID Easements).

Whilst there are still many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, OF&G were informed by Defra late in 2021 that once all related national movement restrictions had been lifted across England and the Devolved Regions (Scotland and Wales) the COVID Easements would be removed.

Defra has recently informed Organic Control Bodies (including OF&G) that there are no longer any movement restrictions caused by national measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic across England, Wales or Scotland and as a result in agreement with the devolved administrations COVID-19 easements have been lifted.

In order to facilitate a move away from remote inspections back to physical on-site inspections Defra has noted that all inspections conducted after 1^st March 2022 must be physical on-site.

If your inspection has already been booked as a remote inspection to take place after 1^st March it will be necessary to contact your inspector to arrange for this to be changed to a physical on-site inspection.

Inspectors and businesses should follow Covid-19 advice, such as considering wearing a face mask in crowded and enclosed spaces and isolating if they have any Covid-19 symptoms.

A note of the changes has been sent to all inspectors, however, if you have any questions please contact your certification officer.

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OF&G Staff Contact Details

In response to current Government advice that everyone who can work from home should do, the majority of our staff are working remotely.

We would like to reiterate however that there should be no disruption in our services, with the team being available as usual Monday-Friday 9am– 5pm.

To help ensure you can contact the relevant person effectively please look at the OF&G staff contact details

Online wellbeing support and counselling for farming people

In partnership with RABI, you can access free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support from any device.

Hear what farming people like you have to say about mental health and wellbeing.

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