Steve Clarkson, chief executive, OF&G comments

“OF&G has received Defra’s Farming Roadmap 2050 with great enthusiasm, in particular, the government’s explicit commitment to work with the organic sector to deliver an Organic Action Plan for England (OAPE).

For many years organic farmers have been delivering exactly the outcomes the Roadmap now identifies in its three themes by improving profitability and productivity; enhancing sustainability; and building resilience.

From healthier soils, cleaner water, greater biodiversity, and reduced reliance on costly inputs, organic rightly deserves this long-awaited acknowledgement.

This recognition of organic’s role as one of the clearest, most trusted and established routes to delivering on government farming policy objectives is a significant step for the sector.

The aim now is put organic front and centre within future ELM, SFI and private market frameworks as the leading, legally regulated and independently audited system of sustainable farming.

For years, organic has trailblazed the co-operative models highlighted in the Roadmap. Collaboration remains key and we will continue working with Defra though our involvement with the English Organic Forum in the development and launch of the OAPE. We are committed to ensuring the supply chain has the confidence to invest in the future of English organic food and farming over the coming decades.”