Question reference: S1W-00837
- Asked by: Irene McGugan, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 9 August 1999
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Current status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 19 August 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to implement to enable Scottish agriculture producers to meet the growing consumer demand for organic produce.
Answer
Financial support is already available through the Organic Aid Scheme (OAS) to encourage farmers to convert to organic farming methods. It is my hope that increased payment rates, which should be available by October subject to approval of this Chamber, will further stimulate organic production.In addition, priority has been given to organic projects under the Marketing Development and Marketing and Processing Grants Schemes administered by the Rural Affairs Department.