16.11.07
Organic food labelling debate

Please contact Clare Morgan on 01872 223439 or Elaine Barr on 01579 324106.

An important debate about the use of the word 'organic' is to take place at Duchy College Rosewarne campus on Tuesday (November 20, at 7pm).

The debate was initiated by the Cornish Guild of Smallholders (CGOS) and is being organised by the Duchy College VTS scheme funded through Objective One. It will be chaired by David Hinchcliffe, vice chair of Duchy College, and speakers are Joy Cheeseman, CGOS founder; Martin Davies of Organic South West and Julie Benson of Cornwall County Council Trading Standards.

This event was instigated by CGOS who in the first instance raised concerns with Cornwall County Council Trading Standards. Mrs Cheeseman explained: "CGOS welcomes the other participants to their monthly meeting to take forward a debate on the subject of the use of the word 'organic' or how to ensure the customer knows that they are buying."

She went on to list some of the issues faced by small farmers and food producers that CGOS is highlighting:

• Quality labeling versus regulation makes it difficult to label food correctly for the customer
• To increase the customer base CGOS members need to be listening to and acting upon the demands of the consumer not just meeting regulations
• The organic certification route appears to be a barrier for some small food and farming businesses to access and is tightly controlled
• The expense attached to official registration and certification of being an organic producer

"We need to explore avenues regarding descriptions of food, which may permit the ethos of the producer to be given to the consumer," continued Joy. "The Cornish Guild of smallholders, along with Trading Standards, wishes to see an easy access route for small producers into organic production at an affordable price and we want to keep the high quality of food produced in Cornwall at a price the customer can afford."

Also invited to Tuesday's debate are Angie Coombes, of Taste of the West Cornwall, and representatives from some of the larger farmers as well as the food and farming sector. Entrance is free to CGOS members and £2 for non members.

CGOS stages a monthly market in Lostwithiel, offers opportunities for new producers to test the market and provides an outlet where the public can source good quality, locally produced food. Many very small businesses that have joined CGOS have since successfully expanded. Others already supply top stores but want to maintain local links. Many CGOS members have received Objective One investment either directly or via gateway funds including Business Link and Taste of the West Cornwall.

For further information please contact Clare Morgan, Media Relations Manager, Partnership Office on 01872 223439/07973 813647 or email cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk. Alternatively, contact Joy Cheeseman, CGOS, on 01840 250586.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Cornish Guild of Smallholders (CGOS) Development Programme through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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