Martin Hemingway

Lead candidate, European elections, June 4th.

16 APR 2009

Martin Hemingway, Green Party candidate for Yorkshire and the Humber in the European Elections on June 4th, today urged consumers in the region to continue to support locally-based organic farmers and food retailers following reports that the organic sector is being increasingly hard-hit by the economic recession.

At least two organic farmers per week are abandoning certification schemes and others are “at breaking point”, according to farming bodies, as food prices rise, job uncertainty spreads and shoppers turn away from organic in favour of conventionally-grown food.

The Soil Association – which published its annual review of the organic food sector earlier this week – warned that consumers could face shortages of organic produce in as little as twelve months as a direct result of the crisis. Martin Hemingway said today:

“Organic farming is better for the environment, people, animals and wildlife than conventional industrial farming which is often over-reliant on harmful pesticides and antibiotics and overuse of fertilisers which add to invisible food miles because most comes from overseas.” 

He continued: “Yorkshire and the Humber has a variety of pioneering independent and local organic producers and they deserve our support more now than ever. Organic food is not only natural and healthy, its continued production is absolutely vital to safeguard the future of the planet and its resources.

” Advocates of organic food point out that with rising costs of fossil fuels – and an increasing trend towards buying local – the price differential between organic and non-organic is fast diminishing, and in some cases is non-existent. 

“Whether it's a box scheme, farmers market, independent store or food co-operative, there's a huge array to choose from. Organic, local, food doesn't have to mean expensive,” Martin said today. Britain's organic sector has boomed in the last decade, with more than 5000 farmers and other fruit and vegetable growers, and more than 2500 others employed in related businesses. Overall the sector is believed to be worth more than £2bn a year.

 Despite the recession's overall negative impact on the sector, the Soil Association study found that sales of organic food at farmers markets was actually on the rise – last year organic sales at such events were worth some £23.7 million. Yorkshire and the Humber is home to 37 thriving farmers' markets, from Holmfirth to Driffield, Doncaster to Northallerton and dozens in between, selling both organic and locally produced foodstuffs.

The Green Party wants to radically transform the UK's food and farming sector to end its over-reliance on oil, fossil fuels and chemical inputs; offer new incentives to encourage more farmers to switch to organic, and phase out factory farming which is cruel to farm animals and in some cases linked to the rise in human – animal diseases.

 The Green Party also plans to tackle the scourge of industrial animal farming globally – including the rearing of cattle for beef – that has recently been linked to serious deforestation, in turn contributing to climate change that threatens many of the world's poorest regions.

Martin Hemingway

NOTES

Farmers’ Markets in Yorkshire and the Humber

Contacts

Lead candidate, Yorkshire & the Humber Region

Martin Hemingway: Home | Email | Blog

Tel: 0113 274 1011

Press Officer

Lesley Hedges: Home | Email 

Tel: 07939 473269