Scientific evidence supports the use of crop diversity
A review paper published this month (Mar 2011) found “overwhelming” evidence that diverse plant communities are more productive than simple monocultures.
Agroforestry Survey
If you are a producer you can now take part in our short online survey on the extent to which UK producers currently use the woody components on their land.
Lower Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance
A study published this month in Environmental Health Perspectives has found lower antibiotic resistance on newly organic farms compared to conventional farms in the US…
Bluetongue update
Bluetongue serotype 1 (BTV-1) has now spread across France as close to the UK as Brittany…
Bulletin 103 published
The new issue of the ORC Bulletin has been published…
Government closes ACOS
The Coalition Government has today confirmed that…
Recognition of Sacrifices and Commitment
On Friday 16th July, Bernward Geier, former Director of IFOAM, presented ORC with …
An IOTA review of organic research
The series of IOTA Technical Leaflets provides a summary of the key practical farming recommendations arising from organic research…
Go to work on an egg - with confidence
Good news at last for hard pressed egg producers – organic or otherwise. A University of Surrey team has declared that most people can eat as many eggs as they want without damaging their health. The researchers analysed…
Opening of new conference and education facilities
This summer at The Organic Research Centre we are very pleased to announce…
Organic farming conversion scheme opening in Wales
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced the opening of an Organic Farming Conversion Scheme. Farmers will be able to apply to join the scheme between 15 September 2009 and 30 September 2009.
Swine Flu mutates again as complacency grows
There have been warnings this week from business leaders against complacency about swine flu. Although the UK’s Chief Medical Officer has …
Surrey FMD report - any lessons learned?
The Government has accepted all 26 of the main recommendations made by Sir Iain Anderson on the response to the Surrey 2007 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), says the Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. Sadly, there still remains a dismal lack of focus by Government and Ministers on the use of preventative vaccination for …
Warm praise from Farm Commissioner
EU Farm Commissioner Marian Fischer Boel has made clear her own enthusiasm for organic farming and organic regulation at the 20th anniversary Biofach exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany…
The return of set-aside
Cash for farmers to leave land uncultivated as wildlife habitat (set-aside) is on its way back into UK farm policy. Farmers themselves are to be asked to…
Movement or market debate at ORC 2009 conference
An impressive gathering of farmers, producers and advisers (over 180 in total) assembled at the Organic Research Centre Producer Conference 2009 at Harper Adams University in Shropshire – January 6th and 7th – to discuss a range of technical and policy matters. Where are …
Movement or market?
An impressive gathering of farmers, producers and advisers (over 180 in total) assembled at the Organic Research Centre Producer Conference 2009 at Harper Adams University in Shropshire – January 6th and 7th – to discuss a range of technical and policy matters
The end of pesticides in the EU?
MEPs have voted in the European Parliament to tighten the EU rules on pesticide use…
Barbarians at the gate:
Comment from ORC on idea of organic holidays
New edition of OFMH 2009
The eighth edition of the Organic Farm Management Handbook comes out in challenging times
Feeding the World Conference success
The QE2 Conference Centre in Westminster (November 12th 2008) saw over 130 delegates and speakers in hot debate about the failure of GM crop technology to deliver anything on the promises of twenty years ago. In stark contrast speaker after speaker pointed to agro-ecological approaches (including organic agriculture) as extremely attractive sustainable farming and food options, especially in a world fast running out of oil.
Taking the pulse of organic animal health
ORC Organic Animal Health Colloquium