PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT
ENVIRONMENT DIVISION
Transitional financial support for the organic farming sector
2015
(Public)
Purpose of the Report
Provide a one off transitional support payment for organic farmers in Jersey in recognition of the sectors current concerns regarding low market returns, the need for an Organic Action Plan and the disparity between local organic support mechanisms and those received by organic farms in neighbouring jurisdictions.
Background
A Strategic Review of Organic Farming in Jersey completed in 2013 by M Measures (BSc (Hons) Ag, highlighted the need for an Organic Action Plan to be developed that recognises the following:-
- That farms managed under organic principles provide positive benefits to the environment.
- That there are inconsistencies between the financial support mechanisms for organic farming in Jersey and those available in neighbouring jurisdictions.
- The local market for organic foods is under developed but has the potential to grow given the right support.
- Organic farming in Jersey has a good base of active producers but there is a need to improve farm efficiency and marketing.
In order to progress the development of organic farming effectively in Jersey it was recommended that a strategic policy is developed by the drafting of an Organic Action Plan.
An Organic Action Plan has been drafted by the Jersey Organic Association, in conjunction with officers from the Department of the Environment, and will be included in the consultation process associated with the renewal of the Rural Economy Strategy due for implementation in 2016, resulting in the need for transitional support in the interim.
In recognition of the above, the organic farming sector should receive a payment equivalent to the organic rotational land annual maintenance payments received in the England.
Discussion
To address the current concerns of the organic farming sector in Jersey it is proposed that a transitional support payment will be paid, equivalent to the organic rotational annual maintenance payment received by organic farmers in the England, to commercial organic farmers in Jersey who commit to farm their land organically between 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015. .
Conclusion
That the Minister approves a transitional payment of £12.59 per vergee in 2015 to commercial organic farms in Jersey in recognition of their current profitability concerns and on the basis that the new RES will not be implemented until 1st January 2016.
Recommendation
The Minister to approve a transitional support payment to commercial organic farmers of £12.59 per vergee on all commercially farmed organic agricultural land in Jersey which will be maintained in production from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2015..
Written by: Rural Economy Manager
Approved by: Director
Environmental Management and Rural Economy
Ministerial Decision ref: MD-PE-2015-0012