The Farmers Mart Oct-Nov 2019 - Issue 65 | Page 24
24 ARABLE
OCT/NOV 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
Soil Association opens Brexit
readiness helpline for organic farmers
organic food and farming, raising critical
issues on the ability to trade and export.
In the event of a no-deal Brexit, recog-
nition of UK organic certification by the
EU is anticipated to cease overnight with
a prospect of a prolonged period when
organic exports to the EU could become
impossible.
“An ongoing lack of clarity and progress
from government, despite the work of
many organisations in the sector, means
we are still no clearer how long this break
in the ability of organic businesses to
export will be. Any break – whether it is 6
days or 6 months – could be devastating
for many organic businesses.”
THE Soil Association has launched a Brexit
readiness support service to help organic
businesses prepare for a potential no-deal
Brexit.
The service consists of a Brexit support
phone line, email address and online chat
system.
The dedicated team will help answer
questions and provide up to date informa-
tion to the sector. A new Brexit support web
page has also been launched, including key
information and requirements needed in
order for the organic sector to prepare for
Brexit.
The website will be kept up to date
and live throughout the process. The Soil
Association will also run a number of webi-
nars with experts from the Soil Association.
The readiness service is open to all
organic businesses in the UK, not just those
certified by Soil Association Certification,
and will provide information to help busi-
nesses prepare in the event of a no-deal
Brexit.
The creation of the Brexit support service
comes at a critical time for the UK’s organic
sector, with the Soil Association today
warning that a no-deal exit brings “maximum
uncertainty” for organic food and farming.
Currently, in the event of no-deal, UK
organic producers will not be able to export
to the EU until the EU grants formal approval
to their organic certification body.
Soil Association Certification and other
UK certification bodies are unable to offi-
cially apply for this status until the UK has
left the EU, any break in recognition would
mean organic exports from the UK to the
EU would effectively be blocked.
Liz Bowles, Associate Director of
Farming, Soil Association, said: “A no-deal
Brexit brings maximum uncertainty for
Businesses wishing to contact the support
service should email Brexitsupport@
soilassociation.org . Updated information
on organic and Brexit is available on
the preparing your business for Brexit
pages of the Soil Association website.
https://www.soilassociation.org/
preparing-your-organic-business-for-brexit/
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