ORGANIC NEWSLETTER
September 2009
Another worrying harvest, but thank goodness September came when it did. Grain will hopefully be in the shed and not needing too much drying. Cereal markets are sluggish this year and there are some innovative ideas under discussion—changing feed plans, sharing grain storage, linking up with farmers rather than merchants. Last year there were difficulties in getting grain uplifted in time for cattle to come in to housing so please call me if you are worried it will recur this year. Reports are of a bumper grass year, with good silage yields and not enough mouths on the grass. There is strong demand for cattle and lambs and especially breeding sheep of any sort at the moment. If you have any available please call the office as we have had to issue derogations for replacements that we will not do if organic animals are available. Autumn sales look encouraging—already a strong interest in Dumfries organic cattle on the 5th October, but don’t forget Thainstone on the 13th October and Dumfries sheep sale on Friday the 16th October. Patronage is important as these markets set the price and gives the industry a guide for trading value. Prime organic meat sales are quite stable this year. For the first time we can remember, we haven’t had any of complaints about difficulties selling autumn lambs. This just shows how complex the organic market is—historically autumn supply of organic lamb has exceeded demand and so why isn’t that happening this year? Surely we would expect the economic downturn to curb the demand for organic lamb, thus worsening the supply situation? It seems there has been a lot of leakage to the conventional market. On the SRDP front the deadline for the November round is due so with this we see the closing of applications for this year. The Scottish Government will not release budget figures which is of concern to me. The SRDP is becoming extremely competitive and it is clear that standalone organic maintenance cannot score sufficient points. Each round has a very distinct ’personality’ and this makes it difficult to judge the situation. There is insufficient official guidance issued by the Government and so we rely on heresay between agents and case officers. The lack of training and low confidence continues amongst many case officers. Added to this, SGRPID Area Offices are under-resourced and struggle to cope with the additional workload of Rural Priorities cases on top of their normal responsibilities. It is extremely frustrating to complete the substantial work required to submit a case, only to find the case officer doesn’t have time to score it and so it won’t be ready to commit to the RPAC. With Maggie Magee helping out with applications, we can advise you on how to build a successful case that might have half a chance but it remains evident that quality applications are essential and you need to consider other options such as agri-environment, woodland, capital investment or renewables to boost the proposal. Maggie’s expertise means we can offer additional services to SOPA members such as Woodland Plans, Moorland Management Plans, Soil Plans, Manure Plans, Grazing Plans and other specific requirements under individual options that can be included in the proposal to improve it. Each farm is different and so individual advice is recommended—call me if you want further information.
IN THIS ISSUE
Certification Corner Organic Livestock Scottish News UK News What is Nutrition? Other News Associate members Classifieds 2 3 4 5 6 7 9-11 12
SOPA Contacts
Jane Ellis, Senior Manager (Technical, SOPA Scheme and Certification) Tel 0131 335 6606 jane.ellis@sfqc.co.uk Deborah Roberts, Development Manager Tel 0131 335 6619 or 0773322 8701 deborah.roberts@sfqc.co.uk Joanna Sinclair, Certification Officer , Tel 0131 335 6606 joanna.sinclair@sfqc.co.uk Alison Redfearn, Scheme Administrator Tel 0131 335 6606 alison.redfearn@sfqc.co.uk Enquiries can also be directed to info@sopa.org.uk
Debs
CERTIFICATION CORNER
Informing SFQC/SOPA of Prosecutions to your business
Please be reminded that according to the SFQC scheme regulations under section 2, ‘Member/Applicant Obligations’, point 2.5, SQFC/SOPA scheme members’ are obliged to ‘immediately notify SFQC of any prosecutions or failure to comply with legislation of which the member/applicant is aware of at the time of application or becomes aware of relating to the operation of their business or personnel/staff involved with the operation of their business.’ Once notified or if SFQC becomes aware of a prosecution or a breach of legislation relating to a member/applicant’s business ‘SFQC shall be entitled to suspend membership/application immediately’. In the event of a member/applicant being later convicted of an offence ‘SFQC shall be entitled to suspend membership/ application with immediate effect, to accept undertakings from the member/applicant or to take no further action.’ If you have misplaced your copy of the SFQC scheme regulations, or are in any doubt regarding this issue please contact SOPA on 0131 335 6606.
Certifying Merchants
In the last newsletter we told you about changes under the new EU Reg to Organic wholesaling and storage of produce in the food supply chain. There is now clarification that the organic regulation will apply to hay/straw and cereal merchants—indeed any third party who takes ownership of an organic product between the farm and further processing. It is now a legal requirement for grain merchants who take title of organic cereals to be certified. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ensure that each step of the supply chain has the correct certification in place. If you are purchasing organic feedstuffs including silage, hay, cereals or pulses from a trade merchant it is your responsibility to ensure that they are certified. Remember the rule: all purchases should be accompanied with a valid organic certificate. For clarification ask them to contact SOPA. It is your responsibility to ensure that your suppliers have the necessary certification in place, if not your organic status is at risk.
Establishing a new Flock or Herd
We have had a few enquires regarding this issue recently so for clarification…. Establishing a new flock or herd on an existing organic farm is no easy matter as the organic standards must be adhered to when bringing on new stock. Ideally organic stock should be purchased in the first instance and SOPA can help source organic replacements. The percentages for replacement stock may be increased from 10% (for cattle) and 20% (for sheep) up to 40% following agreement in advance by SFQC/SOPA, but only in the following special cases:
SOPA Assessments
1. 2. 3.
When a major extension to the farm is undertaken When a breed is changed When a new livestock specialisation is developed.
Please be reminded that at your annual SOPA inspection your assessors needs to be able to verify all inputs and outputs to your organic business. The only way to do this is to see your invoices and accounts to do a type of mass balance. Our letter that is posted out to you prior to all assessments states clearly; “Please ensure that the information described below is made available to the assessor. Financial Records All purchases and sales invoices, including VAT book.” If for any reason you do not have these accounts available please make sure that you either let your assessor know at the time he is setting up your assessment date or if the assessment is already arranged contact him/her direct (details at the bottom of our letter) to arrange an alternative date, or contact the SOPA office directly. Please do not let our assessors turn up for an assessment if you do not have all the relevant information available for him/her to complete their assessment as you could be charged for the cost of an additional inspection.
(See SOPA standard 3.2.6 for more details.) This therefore means when establishing a new flock or herd on an organic farm • 40% can be purchased non-organically but must be nulliparous (not have had any offspring previously) • 60% must be organic or converted breeding stock Producers are strongly advised to seek guidance on the application if these standards from the office at a very early stage. Therefore please ring the SOPA office and speak to either Jane or Joanna (your Certification Officers).
DEROGATIONS
Please remember to call the office about derogations PRIOR to bringing anything that is not organic onto organic land. You risk the status of your land if you do not speak to the office for clarification on derogations. 2
Organic Livestock
Bluetongue Update
Non Ruminants Feedstuffs
Pig and Poultry Standards
The non-organic feed allowance goes down from 10% to 5% as of 1st January 2010. The only permitted non-organic feedstuffs are from the Green list—the Green list developed in the 1990’s in the lead up to the 100% regulation that was introduced on 1st January 2008. It is a list of feedstuffs that are the only permitted non-organic ingredients in organic livestock rations. If you operate on feed contracts or will be purchasing bulk feeds in the near future that will supply you over the New Year, please remind your organic supplier that the feeds will need to be compliant to the 5%. 10% rations will not be able to be fed to organic pigs or poultry after the 31st December 2009.
All livestock keepers in Scotland are urged to continue being vigilant for bluetongue. The Scottish Government expects the transmission period to end by November when winter conditions reduce the risk of midge activity. As we near the end of the vector period, please ensure your vaccinations are up to date and recorded in your vetmed book. All of Scotland (except Shetland) is under compulsory vaccination against BTV8 and so all animals need to be vaccinated before they are 6 months old. If an animal is over three months old but less than 6, and is being moved off the holding it should be vaccinated prior to the off-movement. You should record your vetmeds for all animals that move off your holding and complete the organic Livestock Transfer Document as you usually would. Declare the BTV8 vaccinations on the Livestock Transfer Document. At the moment, booster vaccinations are still required to be administered before next spring.
Procedures to follow when selling at Auction
As a number of Autumn organic store and breeding sales approach, please be reminded of what you must do to present your animals for sale at the market. 1. Book the animals in a timely manner. This is important because the Auctioneers have to supply SOPA with a full list of sellers to be cross checked for organic status PRIOR to the sale. Let the market know your SOPA number. Arrive at the market in plenty of time. Organic animals have to be penned separately and it takes the mart staff additional time to ensure separation controls are met. Paperwork also needs to be verified. Supply your own organic feeding if animals are to be penned for more than a few hours. Have your paperwork in order. This includes all passports, eartag records and Livestock Transfer Documents correctly filled in and signed. All sellers also need to provide a current organic certificate for the livestock being sold, and state clearly which animals are converted breeding stock.
2.
LFA Livestock Keepers
You should have received a form to complete and return to your local RPID Area Office. The Scottish Government is working to a new LFASS in 2010 and information is required to show active farmers who may be eligible. You must return this form by the 2nd October
3. 4.
BCMS Online Reporting
BCMS are changing the way users log on to report cattle movements, births and deaths on the CTS Online website. You will need to use a Government Gateway ID from the 6th October 2009. Government Gateway is a single point of entry to communicate online with government agencies. If you do not have a Government gateway, telephone the Rural Payments Online Helpdesk 0845 601 7597 to get registered. Keepers with multiple holdings can enrol as can Agents who report on your behalf. If you already log online to submit IACS or other Scottish Government claims (LMOs, RSS, CPS, SBCS, RPs) you will have a Government Gateway ID. Go to CTS Online http://www.bcms.gov.uk/ and follow the instructions to enrol.
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SAC NEWS
Organic Market Link Project
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to complete the annual Organic Market Link (OML) Producer Survey 2009 / 2010 and to add a plea and a bit of encouragement to those of you who have yet to return theirs to me. As a group we need to co-operate together to expand market development for the all organic sectors. There is an increased interest and awareness of the value of locally (especially organic) produced food and Scotland should be proactive with regard to this. To enable Scotland to be proactive it is important that we know what is being produced in each sector to enable us to go forward into new market development with hard data rather than anecdotal information. Your continued participation in the OML Project is essential; it provides information that really makes a difference and enables positive change. Please remember, I cannot continue to help improve organic marketing if I don’t know what, when and how much you have produced. It is impossible to emphasise enough just how invaluable the market intelligence gained from the previous five surveys has already been to the sector as a whole, so please get those surveys filled in and returned to me asap. If you have not received a copy of this years survey please get in touch with me and I will forward one to you.
Caroline Shahin (nee Bayliss) Organic Farming Consultant, SAC Consulting, Craibstone Estate, Aberdeen AB21 9YA Tel: 01224 711073, Fax: 01224 711293, Email: caroline.shahin@sac.co.uk
Post Graduate Studies in Organic Farming
As a new intake of students gather at Craibstone to commence their MSc and Post graduate of Organic Farming, Programme Leader Dr Norman Stephen has been awarded a special commendation for a Lifetime Achievement in Teaching. Norman has dedicated 25 years to helping and teaching students in Environmental and Organic studies. His efforts in co-ordinating the postgraduate course was recognised by SAC Principal Bill McKelvey, who said that the course enjoyed an excellent reputation with academics and the industry. Congratulations from the SOPA team (alumni and current) Dr Norman Stephen,
Scottish Organic Forum
Under the previous administration the Scottish organic industry worked with SEERAD through the Scottish Organic Stakeholders Group. When the SNP took government in 2007 there were a number of changes in the way the Government worked with stakeholders and in the structure of the government itself. This left the Organic Stakeholders Group defunct. So a new group was formed in 2008 to meet regularly and to progress the development of organic food in Scotland. This group has been called the Scottish Organic Forum and is a key route of partnership with the Scottish Government Currently the Forum is writing a new Scottish Organic Action Plan. The 2003 Action Plan expired in 2007 but as an industry we felt we needed a framework that would guide government policy in helping the industry grow. The new Organic Action Plan will be available for consultation next year. 4 MEMBERS Scottish Government SOPA SAC SAOS Soil Association SOMPA CalOrg Mathesons Pigs Environment LINK Other organisations such as NFUS, Scottish Retail Consortium attend by invitation of the members
UK NEWS
English Organic Fraud Prosecution DEFRA Publish 2008 UK Organic statistics
The directors of an organic food processing company Swaddle Organics, selling under the ONEfood label, were sentenced for fraud. Company Director Neil Stansfield was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for buying supermarket foods, repackaging them and selling them on under an organic label. Two other directors were found to be complicit and received suspended sentences and community service. It doesn’t happen often, but this is a prime example of why there is a legal framework for the production and processing of organic food. Food cannot be sold under an organic label unless it has been inspected and audited at every stage of its production or processing—and this includes repackaging. In all cases of organic fraud, it is the local Trading Standards who have the enforcement responsibility. Investigations will be made by the local TSO, usually in close conjunction with the organic certification body. In this case it was found that Swaddles had been falsifying records and accounts for more than five years. Paper trails were tampered with and computer systems deliberately altered to hide non-organic purchases of ingredients that were processed and then sold as organic. This fraud highlights the need for protecting the integrity of the organic product. Organic food is law, not just an airy fairy claim. This fraud is justification of all the paperwork and record keeping that is required to authenticate the organic label. As we well know, the inspection process is rigorous, far more rigorous than other food quality assurance schemes. Without a robust audit we have no proof of the organic label.
2008 statistics on the UK Organic food industry were originally published last month, but have been revised and reissued due to an error in calculations of in-conversion land. The figures refer to organic production in the UK for the year 2008 and shows the total organic area in Scotland is 231,341ha, 4.1% of the total agricultural area. There are 889 organically certified businesses in Scotland which includes producers and processors. This is an increase of 3.4% from 2007. In the UK there are nearly 320,000 head of cattle (up 27.6%), 1.2 million sheep (up 36.5%), and just over 71,000 pigs (up 41%). Numbers have declined in organic poultry: down 1.8% to 4.4 million and goats are also down 24% to 409 Defra only collects these statistics once a year and so there is a delay of some months before the figures are reported. It is a legal requirement that the certification bodies report anonymised data to Defra every January.
DEFRA have also revised their website. The new organic information pages can be found at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/growing/organic/index.htm
ORGANIC TRADE BOARD
You may have heard of the new organic industry group that has been set up to develop, promote and support organic trade in the UK. It is a group of organic businesses that have ambitious targets for the UK organic industry. The key focus of the OTB work in the imminent future is to secure funding for a bid for EU funding to promote organic food in the retail market. This EU Bid is co-ordinated by SuSTAIN, the Alliance for Food and Farming. http://www.sustainweb.org A generic marketing & PR campaign to promote the ORGANIC brand – market research shows people want clear information about the benefits of organic The Aims of campaign are to:
1. 2. 3.
Tell consumers what organic means Tell consumers the benefits of organic food Encourage consumption of organic products
Further information and progress on the OTB can be found at the website http://www.organictradeboard.co.uk/
Organic Trade Board, The Saxon Centre, 11 Bargates, Christchurch BH23 1PZ Tel: +44 1202 486245 Fax: +44 1202 496645
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What is Nutrition?
There have been two recent studies that have raised questions on the nutritional content of organic food. The first was published by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as commissioned by the UK Food Standards Agency. The report was received with great media interest and generated a global outcry. I’m sure you heard about it. I would not be surprised if you didn’t hear about the second study because it came to a different conclusion. SOPA has always been clear that organic food should not be sold with labels or promotional messages that make false claims about health or nutritional content. Labelling is a key issue that you must get right … see the SOPA Labelling Guidance included with this issue. Marketing messages must be proven in fact, not broad statements that cannot be defended. Our interpretation of the FSA study is that after initial dismay, the backlash has actually shown that the science was poor and in fact consumers buy organic food for a number of reasons, not just a perception of health. The media got hold of a story and ran it without checking the full facts. FSA Nutrition Review The Food Standards Agency set strict criteria for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to conduct the desk top review. They looked at the levels of nitrogen, Vitamin C, phenolic compounds, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, Zinc, total soluble solids, copper and tritratable acidity. The researchers found organic food contained higher levels of phenolic compounds, magnesium, zinc, flavonoids, sugars, dry matter, tritratable acidity and phosphorus. The statistical differences were minor and so not picked up by the media. The study clearly came to the conclusion that further research is needed to provide a more definitive result and that the science conducted to date is not sufficient enough to provide a definitive answer. So what deficiencies in the study were there? Firstly, the desk top review found that research that had been conducted was in most cases decidedly not thorough. The study subject groups were too small— sometimes only 20 people, studies did not quote the specific cultivars of crops they were comparing, and the review had to discount a number of studies that could not verify the organic certification of the foods sampled. A criticism of the FSA Nutrition Review was that it excluded by date significant research into organic food conducted by the QLIF project. The QLIF Project involves more than thirty-one research institutions, companies and universities throughout Europe and beyond, focusing on quality, food safety and costs in organic and "low input" food supply chains. It has published results that showed higher levels of nutritionally desirable compounds such as vitamins, anti-oxidants and omega-3, and lower levels of nutritionally undesirable compounds such as heavy metals, mycotoxins and pesticide residues in organic food. Pesticide residues were excluded from the FSA desk top review. The FSA decided on this occasion that pesticides do not contribute to the nutrition quality of food. However, for consumers who seek to reduce pesticide intake, organic food is the only choice. In addition the review did not take into consideration public health or environmental benefits of organic production methods such as animal welfare and biodiversity benefits. If the FSA says they are for "consumer choice" then they must urge consumers to find out more about their food, where it comes from and how it is produced. In many cases buying organic can actually save you money. There are proportionally high numbers of organic farmers selling direct through websites, farmers markets and farm shops, and these outlets can be good value for money because the middleman has been removed from the supply chain.
DID YOU KNOW… Titratable acidity is a
measure of how much acid is in food. It is commonly found in fruit juices and is a key factor in wine making.
The AFSSA Review Earlier this month, the French equivalent of the Food Standards Agency, AFSSA, published a review of nutritional comparisons conducted by Denis Lairon of the University of Marseilles. The AFSSA Review concluded that organic plant products contain more dry matter and minerals such as iron and magnesium, and more antioxidants such as phenols and salicylic acid. Unlike the authors of the FSA study, Lairon did look at food safety. He concluded that between 94 and 100 per cent of organic food does not contain any pesticide residues, and organic vegetables have about 50 per cent less nitrates. Organic plant products are denser, containing more dry matter. Antioxidants such as phenols and salicylic acid are higher. Organic cereals have similar levels of mycotoxins to conventional cereals. Organic animal products were seen to have more polyunsaturated fats. Data on carbohydrate, protein and vitamin levels are insufficiently documented. So again, there are deficiencies in the science. Our message is that consumers can trust certified organic food for many important reasons, not just perceived benefits based on a restricted desk top review looking at only part of the available evidence. And there is a lot of research work to be done.
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Peelham Farm is Scotland’s “sustainable best”
Peelham Farm (SOPA 822) has scooped the 2009 Future Farmer Award. Award judge David Younie was quick to praise the 680 acre Berwickshire enterprise, which supplies beef, lamb and pork to local markets: “As well as producing stunning food, Peelham is resilient, low carbon, and shows great imagination in the way it engages with customers.” The Future Farmer Award is supported by the Elizabeth Murray Trust and Scottish Natural Heritage and recognises exceptional achievement in sustainable farming in Scotland. Award winners receive a cash sum of £4,000, and a package of support, to enable them to share their skills and success with other land managers. Mr Younie said: “As Future Farmer Award winners, Peelham will be throwing open their gates - I hope that Scotland’s farmers and policymakers will jump at the opportunity to come and see farming at its sustainable best.” Jim McLaren, President of the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, presented the annual gong to partners Chris & Denise Walton and Amanda Cayley. Mr McLaren said: “Peelham Farm demonstrates that Scotland’s farmers are rising to the twin challenges of climate change and increasing costs of farm inputs. I’m delighted that this award not only recognises what the Waltons have accomplished, but makes it possible for them to disseminate their knowledge and expertise.” Peelham butcher their own meat and sell their award winning products – including Scotland’s only field-raised beef veal - direct to hotels, restaurants, shops and consumers fifty two weeks a year. Customers know who is producing their food, and Peelham enjoy a diverse and loyal customer base, insulated from middlemen and commodity markets. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said “Peelham Farm is a wonderful example of the win-win situations possible for farmers and land managers. Not only are they improving farming inputs and business resilience, they are adopting measures to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions – something which will benefit us all. SOPA added their congratulations saying that the Waltons had invested a huge amount into their organic business and being Future Farmer2009 is a just reward and recognition of their efforts. Are you an organic food business interested in accessing retail and wholesale food and drink markets?
If so then SALSA could be for you!
SFQC has recently been awarded a Market Development Scheme grant by the Scottish Government to provide a SALSA support programme throughout Scotland.
SALSA is a low cost sustainable scheme to help local producers meet the standards buyers demand and give them confidence to trade with them. SALSA was developed by a partnership of the National Farmers Union, Food and Drink Federation, British Hospitality Association and BRC. It was piloted in Scotland in 2006 and launched in March 2007. There are currently over 1500 registered members in the UK with 64 in Scotland. Of these, 30 in Scotland are currently SALSA approved.
Producers register with SALSA, download the standard and initially benchmark themselves against the standard via a self-assessment.
Usually food producers need assistance via mentoring to meet the SALSA standard and prepare for audit. This MDS supported programme will allow SFQC to provide 3-4 days of mentoring for the price of 1 - £500. In addition organisations such as Scottish Enterprise (SE), Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Seafish have indicated that they may also be able to assist businesses towards their individual contribution.
More
information
on
SALSA
is
available
at
www.salsafood.co.uk.
If you would be interested in finding out more about this programme please contact Anita Feely on 0131 335 6624 or via email to anita.feely@sfqc.co.uk.
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ALBA TREES NURSERY
Alba Trees plc is delighted to have been invited to become Associate Members of SOPA. We are a nursery located in East Lothian, near Haddington , producing cellgrown stock. Our product range includes trees, shrubs, hedging, wild-flowers and reeds. We specialise in native species of known local provenance and sell some seven million plants per year. This year we have celebrated our 21st birthday and passed the milestone of 100 million plants delivered. We also sell tree shelters, stakes and planting equipment. Cell-grown planting stock is different from bare-rooted plants in that the roots are protected in the compost plug in which they were raised on the nursery. This confers several important benefits:
They will achieve maximum establishment, hence minimum “beating-up” They are very easy to plant well, each plant having an identical root plug
Cell grown plants will stay fresh until planted, even if delayed for several weeks or even months Our trees and hedging plants are graded in height, generally as 20-40 and 4060 cms. We also grow a range of trees in larger containers, up to 1.5 metres in height. We deliver throughout the UK, either on our own transport or overnight carrier. Please visit our website to “meet “ the team and for a virtual nursery tour. Or call the sales office to discuss your requirements and get a quotation. Alba Trees plc, Lower Winton, Gladsmuir, East Lothian, EH33 2AL Tel: 01620 825058 Fax: 01620 825316 e.mail sales@albatrees.co.uk www.albatrees.co.uk
• • • •
They can be planted almost all-year round
They will not “check” on planting, hence rapid early growth
We are your first port of call for any new SRDP plantings—new woodlands, woodland restoration, hedging, gapping up and all planting supplies.
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Aston Horticulture
Aston products are a cost-effective method of growing crops with zero residues in a sustainable way, reducing or eliminating the need for chemical treatment.
Much success has been achieved with garlicbased natural products and further opportunities for horticulture to improve its green credentials lie ahead, especially in the production of edible crops including soft and top fruit, protected salads and field vegetables. At Aston Horticulture we offer a range of garlic based products for specific and general use for those in commercial horticulture. Growers must adhere to the protocols that have been developed for success with our products – this is not a quick-approach cure but rather a more prophylactic approach. Prevention of fungal and insect attack is the key to maintaining productive plant growth and appearance, providing the grower with healthy edible crops and good environmental credentials. Use of garlic in conjunction with integrated biological crop management leads to a much reduced reliance on conventional pesticides, with benefits of reduction or elimination of pesticide residues in the resultant food. If growers are prepared to move forward, we can help them through the changes necessary for the garlic approach to become beneficial and successful in this commercial and public sector of UK horticulture.
OUR PRODUCTS ASTON ANTHYLLIS
The Industry Standard. A higher sulphur content product for healthy agricultural and horticultural crops.
ASTON RABITOF
An efficient and effective natural protective blend of garlic and gustatory juices. Acts as a barrier against rabbits, deer, crows and pigeons.
ASTON GARSHIELD
A unique blend of garlic, seaweed and citrus juice for use when conditions are conductive to fungal diseases. Immediate results.
ASTON SEA BREEZE
Highly concentrated, cold pressed seaweed for growth stimulation.
Approved for Use in Organic Systems Soil Association (Organic) Licence Number: I7871 Organic Farmers & Growers Registration Number: UKE0337
CONTACT
Hugh Struth Tel: +44 (0)370 350 6250 Fax: +44 (0)370 350 6251 Email: sales@astonhorticulture.com
www.astonhorticulture.com
ASTON TREE WASH
For use on fruit trees and bushes to help grow healthy, beautiful fruits and maximise yields.
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Quality organic seed for professional growers Field vegetables and salad crops Independent UK seedhouse
For details of our range of seeds see our website www.elsoms.com and see our new organic catalogue. Please contact us if you require a hard copy.
Spalding, Lincolnshire. PE11 1QG Tel 01775 715000 Fax 01775 715001 www.elsoms.com seed@elsoms.com
Get The Healthiest Plants, Crops and Animals Ever!
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Böd Ayre Products Limited ‘Hamnavoe’ Lunnaness Vidlin Shetland ZE2 9QF Tel/Fax: 01806577328 Mobile: 07776070028 Email: enquiries@seaweedproducts.co.uk
More news from Böd Ayre ……………..
Scientists from the University of Leeds have joined up with a number of partners including the Body Shop, in a research project looking at safer hair dyes and cosmetics. Böd Ayre are supplying their Shetland seaweed to the University in trials investigating how body products full of natural compounds can be substituted for synthetic products commonly found on the market. Many compounds in existing products are allergens and certain chemicals, notably p-phenylenediamine (PPD), have been linked to more serious longterm health effects. Researching the natural compounds in Shetland’s seaweed could bring safe cosmetics that are environmentally friendly and from sustainable sources. "This could bring commercial and job opportunities to Shetland for a new high-value farming industry. It would be much better to extract the seaweed on Shetland rather than shipping elsewhere for processing," said Margaret Blance from Böd Ayre.
CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE
Organic Barley - Oxbridge in shed at 13% approx 70 tonnes for sale, Nr Duns, Berwickshire. (SOPA 1016) 07966 171 524 m@kidshielhaugh.com 200 bales of grass silage available in the Scottish Borders area (Lauder) Tel John Runciman on Mob 07977 774882 Lease of organic walled garden in Pentcaitland. (current lease ends in January 2010). All enquiries to Richard Burnett Mobile 07765 776 742 Organic Grazing for 500 lambs (from one holding) on approx 500 acres (in 10 enclosures); all fenced and watered with supervision available if required. Grazing available from 1st October until 31st January. Tel Gordon Morrison (Soil Assoc) Keith, Aberdeenshire Tel: 01542 860238 or Mobile 07767 834198 For sale. 100% organic Sheep cobs. 15% and 12% Protein. 20kg bags. Dried grass chop (suitable for all stock). 17.5 kg bags, Protein 15% and 12%. All above feeds classified as "forage". Tel James Halley 07703 528100 For Sale, 1st quality organic haylage in round bales D&L Orr SOPA 315 Harthill 01501 751288 For sale, Fully Organic Bulling heifers Simmental and Limousin crosses, 18 months old. Contact W Halley & Son Crieff Tel: 07760 227 607 Approx 50 tons Feed barley for sale. Dried to 15% Ready for uplift. Contact Stuart Rennie on 07747 428463 or email stuartandlornarennie@tiscali.co.uk SOPA no.908 For Sale Barley, malt quality, clean, bold and golden. 67kg/hl PLUS Feed Beans, clean and bold. PLUS Feed Wheat, Good, clean. Available from 25kg to 500kg or full loads. Delivery negotiable. Contact Andy Cadzow 07768 938 470 SOPA 901 Any northern organic farmers looking for cheaper & convenient livestock feeding? I have a small tonnage of organic barley I can supply in tonne bags. Hoping to harvest in September. Call David Hymers, Thurso (SOPA 839) to discuss options. Mobile 07742 752 594 Approx 100 strong BF ewes for sale. Accredited correct - 5 yrs old SOPA 690 Rory Cameron 07786 381396 Organic barely, wheat, oats and beans for sale. Can Deliver. Contact Billy Fotheringham mobile 07831 889 525
Organic store lambs urgently required to satisfy clients demand Also Organic store cattle and all classes of organic primestock required For further details contact: Douglas Guild George Purves Anna Scougall Peter Wood Richard Close 07764 464371 07740 877699 07831 380335 07813 982063 07769 644690
Wanted
Mule ewe lambs or virgin gimmers wanted. Tel Stephen Anderson (SOPA 403) on mobile number 07734 798460 Store lambs required - up to 200. Will buy hill type lambs, from anywhere north of Perth. Call Alick Hendry (SOPA 991) on 01343 547 082.
Climate Change Programme – Open to all Thursday 5th November Anaerobic Digester Event, Turriff A technical session in the morning will look at how AD works; understanding planning and cost issues; setting up joint-venture AD co-operative plants; and selling to the grid and funding. With presentations from SAC, WRAP and RPID. The day will also include a visit to the Rennie's, Gask Farm, Turriff which has an AD unit using pig slurry and abattoir waste to produce hot water, electricity, and a high nitrogen fertilizer which is used to grow their cereals, which in turn are feed to their pigs. The cost is £40.00 plus VAT Contact Lyn Matheson 0131 666 0847
This newsletter is published by Scottish Organic Producers Association, SFQC, Royal Highland Centre, 10th Avenue, Ingliston, EH28 8NF Tel 0131 335 6606 Fax 0131 335 6601 www.sopa.org.uk info@sopa.org.uk
Scottish Food Quality Certification (SFQC) and SOPA has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this Newsletter is accurate. No legal responsibility is accepted for errors, omissions or misleading statements in that information caused by negligence or otherwise. No responsibility is accepted in regard to the standing of any firms, companies or individuals mentioned in this Newsletter.
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