Organic producers form new network

Organic egg producers are linking together in an internet-based network. Their new organisation, the Organic Egg Network, is designed to share experience, solve problems and confront issues. Producers with flocks ranging from 100 to 6,000 have already linked into the free-to-join organisation.

The founder of the Network, Gordon Lonsdale, who farms near Lampeter in Ceredigion, explained: "Organic egg production—like many other sectors in the organic movement—is in many ways at the developmental stage. Regulations on issues as basic as diet, pullet-rearing and stocking rates are all in the process of changing. Yet producers can find themselves working in isolation on their farms with little opportunity to compare notes or air concerns. They face directives that may have been made without recognising the full implications for the producer, for the market and, ultimately, for the consumer.

"By linking together, we believe we can share our everyday experience, discuss solutions to problems as they arise and discover whether others share the same views. By helping producers in this way, we believe we can make a positive contribution to animal welfare and husbandry standards and, maybe, influence the way regulations develop in future.”

The OEN is entirely internet-based at present. To join simply e-mail Gordon Lonsdale at maesyronnen1@aol.com and you will be included on the mailing list.