Ministers have established an Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) as a successor to the United Kingdom Register of Organic Standards. The role of the committee will be to advise government on organic standards, approval of organic certifying bodies and R&D.
Andrew Jedwell has been appointed as Chair for a three-year term of office from 1 November 2003.In addition Catherine Fookes, Fiona Gately, Alan Gear, J A (Rex) Humphrey, Charles McDonald, Nabilai Suma and Christine Watson have been appointed for a three-year term of office from the same date. Serving a two year term are Oliver Dowding, Roger Hitchings, Malla Hovi, Brian Kaye, Susanna Lewis, David Peace, Jeffrey Vergerson and Julian Wade.
Organic Farming Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "I am delighted that the Chairman and members have agreed to serve on this new Committee. It is fortunate we have such key figures with a breadth of knowledge from all angles of the organic sector representing all parts of the UK.
"There is genuine strength of feeling from consumers and producers alike for the development and encouragement of systems, which respect the environment and encourage sustainable forms of production. Organic systems clearly fulfil these requirements.
"The consumer and the producer are key in the success of the sector. Without consumer confidence the industry will fail. Without the provision of high quality produce, and processed products, that the consumer expects from organic farming the industry will fail. ACOS has the task of advising Ministers on the setting and maintenance of standards in a way that provides the right environment for nurturing the growth of the sector whilst maintaining confidence in it. I am sure that these individuals working as a team will succeed in this important aim and help to continue the spectacular growth of the sector. In 1987 there were about 8,000 hectares in organic production. Now there are over 700,000 hectares in organic production or in conversion."
Details of ACOS members
The biographical details of the new members are:
Andrew Jedwell: independent food industry consultant, founder of Meridian Foods, Clwyd, Wales, specialising in organic processed products. Chairman of Steering Group, Organic Centre Wales. Mr Jedwell has declared no political activities.
Oliver Dowding: farmer and Managing Director Shepton Farms Ltd, Vice Chairman of OMSCO. Member of Defra's organic Action Plan Team for England (travel and subsistence payments only). Mr Dowding has declared no political activities.
Catherine Fookes: Food and Farming policy officer at the consumer organisation, Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming. Development Officer at the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Member of Defra's organic Action Plan Team for England (travel and subsistence payments only). Ms Fookes has declared no political activities.
Fiona Gately: Food industry marketing specialist for Duchy Originals. Miss Gately has declared no political activities.
Alan Gear MBE: Independent consultant, formerly Chief Executive of The Henry Doubleday Research Association. Mr Gear has declared no political activities.
Roger Hitchings: Horticulture consultant, Organic Advisory Service, Elm Farm Research Centre. Member of Steering and Management Groups, Organic Centre Wales. Mr Hitchings has declared no political activities.
Malla Hovi: Research Scientist and Veterinary Surgeon, University of Reading. Ms Hovi has declared no political activities.
J A (Rex) Humphrey: farmer and company director, Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Mr Humphrey is a member of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland's Farm Subsidies Appeals Panel (daily allowance and travel and subsistence payments only). Mr Humphrey has declared no political activities.
Brian Kaye: Farm estates manager, Perth, Scotland, Chairman of Scottish Organic Producers Association. Mr Kaye has declared no political activities.
Susanna Lewis JP: representing consumer interests and magistrate. Ms Lewis has declared no political activities.
Charles McDonald: Public and agricultural analyst, Glasgow Scientific Services. Dr McDonald has declared no political activities.
David Peace: Managing Director Soil Association Certification Ltd. Mr Peace has declared no political activities.
Nabilai Suma: Independent consultant dealing with organic and fair-trade issues, commodities specialist London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange (LIFFE). Mr Suma has declared no political activities.
Jeffrey Vergerson: farmer and Managing Director of Organic Farm Fare Ltd, Vice Chairman British Egg Association and poultry producer. Mr Vergerson has declared no political activities.
Julian Wade: Director/Executive Secretary, Organic Food Federation. Member of Defra's organic Action Plan Team for England (travel and subsistence payments only). Mr Wade is Chairman of the local Government Parish Council for Elsing, Norfolk
Christine Watson: Research Scientist (soils and environmental science), Scottish Agricultural College. Dr Watson has declared no political activities.
