The Scottish Government

2004 Activities

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March 2004

The 1st Organic Annual Report was published on 30th March 2004. The Report charts the progress made in implementing the commitments made in the Organic Action Plan of 2003.

12 May 2004

The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development updated the ERDC on the progress we have made towards acheiving the targets in the Organic Action plan.

The above link will take you to a detailed manuscript.

8-9 June

Shetland Organic Seminar

A well attended seminar was held in Trondra Hall in Tusday 8 June. The seminar, orgnised by the Shetland Organic Producers Group and the Crofters Commission, was adressed by officials from SEERAD, SOPA, Soil Association and HIE.

The next day was spent visiting organic crofts and discussing organic standards relevant to crofters.

24-27 June 2004

Royal Highland Show:Organic Trail.

Organised by Scottish Food and Drink, in co-operation with other Organic stakeholders, the Organic Trail provided a link between organic exhibits at the RHS.

As part of its contribution to the Trail, SEERAD, for the first time, had an Organic Information point in the SEERAD Pavilion.

After discussion with the Scottish Organic Milk Producers, Mr Ross Finnie (Minister for Rural and Environmental Development), is pictured above with Stewart Jamieson (SOMPA Marketing Manager) and Stuart Martin (SOMPA Chair).

6 September 2004

Demonstration Farm

Deputy Minister launches a new Organic open demonstration farm at Elmwood College, Fife. This is the first open demonstration farm that SEERAD has funded. Speaking at the event the Deputy Minister stated that SEERAD's funding underlined our commitment to devloping the organci sector.

Present at the launch were children from Springfield Primary School

8 September 2004

Organic Food and Farming Policy Forum

SEERAD hosted an Organic Food and Policy Forum in Pentland House Edinburgh for Organic Producers. This was the first time that that SEERAD had organised such and event. The seminar was attended by over 40 delegates from throughout Scotland representing various sector bodies, producer groups, and other key stakeholders. Feedback provided by attendees suggest that the Forum was very successful and provided an useful and much sought after opportunity for a positive exchange of views.

Our future approach to such events will be discussed with Stakeholders at the next meeting of the OSG on 29 September 2004.

7 October

ACOS Certification Body Forum

SEERAD will be attending this forum in London for the first time. Amongst the many relevant isues to be discussed is the recommendation to incorporate the EU standard on tethering of cattle on Crofts and other small holdings, into the UK Organic Compendium of Standards.

29 October

SEERAD attended the Soil Association's Borders Organic Farm Gathering. The morning visit was to Oakwood Mill an upland farm located in the Etterick Valley and the afternoon visit was to Over Langshaw farm, a mixed dairy unit.

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