England plans to triple its organic farmland to 10% by 2036
The UK government has launched a ten-year Organic Action Plan aiming for 10% of England's farmland to be organic by 2036, backed by advice for farmers, better supply chains and public-sector buying. France is already at about 10%.
England wants a lot more of its farmland to go organic. On 14 October the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched the Organic Action Plan for England, which aims to lift the share of farmland managed organically from around 3.4% today towards 10% by 2036 – nearly trebling it.
England has about 301,000 hectares of organic land, and that share has barely moved in more than a decade, ranging between 2.7% and 3.5% since 2012. Demand, meanwhile, keeps growing. UK organic food sales are worth more than £3.9bn a year, and much of it is met by imports, especially fruit and vegetables.
“People are buying more organic food, and we want English farmers to be in a strong position to respond to that demand,” said Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle.
What’s in it
The plan rests on three pillars: one-to-one advice for farmers thinking of converting, better links between farmers, processors and buyers so organic produce reaches shops and restaurants faster, and stronger demand through consumer campaigns and public-sector buying. The public sector spends about £5bn a year on food and drink, and will start with milk, cereals and seasonal vegetables. Defra and the English Organic Forum will track progress together.
For comparison, about 10% of France’s farmland is already organic, according to the French organic agency Agence Bio.
The catch
This is a target, not an achievement: the plan itself describes 10% as an ambition, and it comes with no new ring-fenced money. Defra will review organic payments under the Sustainable Farming Incentive, but sector groups want dedicated funding and say delivery will be the real test. Martin Lines of the Nature Friendly Farming Network called it “a step in the right direction”, while warning that farmers need confidence, practical support and fairer returns.
