New report by the Soil Association released

The report "Where's the beef?" from the Soil Association shows British organic beef producers are not paid enough by their processors and some key supermarkets and that organic beef is imported even though there could be enough supply in the UK.

The report shows that the average price for organic beef was about £ 2.90 per kilo. The cost of production, however, amounted to more than £ 3.30 per kilo over the same period. According to the Soil Association, it is not surprising that farmers lack the confidence needed to boost organic beef production to support 100 % UK-sourcing. 70 % of organic beef in the UK is sold through supermarkets.

The study also revealed evidence for rising imports at cost to the environment and against recommendations of the Government’s Organic Action Plan. The proportion of organic red meat from UK producers sold through UK supermarkets fell from 85 % to 79 % in 2005.

www.soilassociation.org