The latest organic farmland statistics from Defra reveal a disappointing picture for England, Wales and Northern Ireland while Scotland enjoys its sixth year of fully organic land growth. Total organic farmland (including land in conversion) in Scotland increased by 13% to 131,500ha in 2024 – demonstrating its strong leadership on nature friendly farming – while England saw just a 1% rise to 502,800ha and Wales saw a decline of 11% to 68,300ha.
While there was positive growth in UK organic farmland in conversion with a 36% increase – again this was dominated by new entrants in Scotland – doubling (102% rise) organic farmland in conversion in 12 months to 26,500ha in 2024 – up from 13,100ha in 2023. England saw just a 7% increase at 19,600ha up from 18,300ha in 2023 and Wales experienced a sharp decline of – 45% from 4,200ha in 2023 down to 2,300ha in 2024.
Soil Association Organic Development Advisor Adrian Steele said: “Scotland is continuing to lead the way on organic farmland and conversions with strong government support and ambitious targets to boost nature friendly farming. England is falling significantly behind with little or no discernible growth in total organic farmland in ten years and the freezing of the Sustainable Farming Incentives having an immediate impact on organic conversions.
“What is so disappointing is that the opportunity to supply the growing organic market is now being handed on a plate to farmers in the EU. Not only are our farming businesses missing out, but we are, as a country falling further behind in meeting our targets for increasing biodiversity.
“It is critical that the Government acts swiftly to replace the Sustainable Farming Initiative with a programme that will unlock the potential for UK home grown organic produce rather than stifling interest from farmers keen to adopt nature-friendly farming practices.
“But nine out of ten farmers, attending a recent webinar for those considering switching to sustainable, organic and nature-friendly farming, have expressed their frustration that the door has been shut on SFI payments which would support them to make the transition, discouraging them to commit without the reassurance that this offers.
“In the short-term the Government could put organic back into the Countryside Stewardship scheme to provide an incentive for new entrants and the necessary maintenance support to avoid farmers losing faith and abandoning the sector.”
