SOPA News

SAC's Disease Surveillance Centres has warned flock owners that Nematodirus battus worms could be a particular problem for lambs as they start to eat more grass.
13th May 2008

The risk of losses increases when a cold period in the spring is followed by a warm spell leading to a mass hatch of eggs on pasture. This year spring temperatures were slow to rise so it is anticipated that a simultaneous hatch of N battus larvae will occur from early May onwards, posing a threat to lambs from six weeks old all over Scotland. Early cases have already been recorded in Caithness, the Borders and Ayrshire.

Claiming Organic Fee Support under LMOs
5th May 2008

SOPA members should know that they may be eligible to claim up to £150 towards their SOPA fees. You need to submit your application along with your IACS form on May 15th so act now!

SOPA Launches Photograph Competition
5th May 2008

SOPA Photographic Competition – GO Organic

The 2008 Competition Theme is GO Organic

We are looking for a high standard of entries that are stimulating, expressive, and demonstrate in any way the diversity of organic food in Scotland.

INAUGURAL ORGANIC CATTLE SALE DEEMED GREAT SUCCESS
1st May 2008

More than 330 animals were sold at Inverurie’s Thainstone Centre this week as part of Aberdeen & Northern Marts first ever sale of organic store and breeding cattle.

Dumfries Organic Store Sale Report
22nd April 2008

Cumberland & Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart PLC held their Annual Spring Sale of 470 Organic Store Cattle in Dumfries on Monday.

Buyers were present from throughout the British Isles. Trade was brisk with short keep cattle very keenly sought

Bee-Organic joins up with local schools to supply organic veg
17th April 2008

SOPA box scheme Bee Organic, based in Birkhill near Dundee, has embarked on a innovative project to supply organic fruit and vegetables to two Angus schools. Angus pupils, and their schools, are to benefit from a pioneering organic food initiative rolling out across the area, the only scheme of its kind in Scotland.

Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Grant Scheme
17th April 2008

SOPA has been informed that the first round of applications under the Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation Scheme will close on the 9th May 2008.

Support towards SOPA fees
16th April 2008

Organic farmers may be eligible to claim up to £150 towards their SOPA fees under the Land Managers Options

SRDP WEBSITE LAUNCHED
26th March 2008

Funding opportunities under the SRDP are detailed on the Scottish Government website

SAC Senior Farming Specialist - David Younie to retire
14th March 2008

SAC are recruiting for the post

Organic Monitor Farm Meeting
13th March 2008

Thursday 20th March, Balanloan Farm, Blair Atholl.

11am-3.30pm.

Bring a packed lunch

Scottish Rural Development Plan Approved
10th March 2008

The £1.6 billion Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) is now being rolled out to promote sustainable economic growth in rural communities the length and breadth of the country.

SUMA WHOLEFOODS RECALLS ORGANIC SESAME AND OMEGA MIXED SEEDS
5th March 2008

Suma Wholefoods has recalled certain batches of Organic Sesame Seeds and Omega Mixed Seeds, due to the possible presence of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning. The Food Standards Agency has issued a Food Alert for Information.

HIOA February 2008 Newsletter available here
3rd March 2008

Bod Ayre Special Offer
26th February 2008

Margaret and Michael have a Special Offer on Seaweed extract for spring 2008 plant and soil applications.

This includes FREE Delivery on the bulk tank order... contact 01806 577328 for further information.

Job Vacancy - veg/soft fruit grower for Earthshare CSA in Nairn
25th February 2008

SRDP Update
22nd February 2008

The Scottish Government has issued information on the dates for implementation of the SRDP.

Brussels is expected to officially confirm approval of the Programme in the next few days.

The Programme must then be enshrined in Scottish Law as a Statutory Instrument which entails going before the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

Subject to Brussels and Holyrood approval, the SRDP will commence implementation as soon as possible.

Calling all organic potato and veg growers
5th February 2008

A significant market opportunity has arisen for Scottish organic potatoes and veg, exporting to the Irish Republic where consumer demand is strengthening.

Growers interested in this initiative should call Debs on 0131 335 6619.

Fees Update
21st January 2008

Members will have recently received their fee invoices for the 2008 membership year.

SOPA has introduced a number of ways to assist payment of these fees and if you wish to discuss these further please call Debs in the office on 0131 335 6619.

November Monitor Farm meeting
11th January 2008

The notes from the November meeting of the Organic Monitor Farm, Balanloan, Blair Atholl, can be downloaded here.

N E W S F L A S H
11th January 2008

100% Organic EWE COBS

Norvite has a special offer to SOPA Members only

This offer expires on January 18th so please enquire quickly. Download the flyer here for further information

Autumn Newsletter now available
8th January 2008

The PDF version is available here and full copies are in the post to all members.

This edition is a Special edition focussing on Organic Feeding. Apologies to our members who do not have livestock, but it is a critical change to organic management and it is imperative that all livestock producers are fully aware of the new regulations.

1st January is past - 100% organic feed commences
8th January 2008

As we have passed the crucial date of 1st January, SOPA members will be fully aware of the regulations and the implications this has for their businesses. Call the office before you are experiencing difficulties, as we can often help with as much time as possible before a critical emergency arises.

Christmas and New Year Office Hours
21st December 2007

The SOPA office will be open on the 27th and 28th December and open on the 3rd and 4th January, but closed in between those dates. We will return in force on 7th January 2008.

Organic Monitor Farm Meeting
29th November 2007

Balanlaon Farm, Blair Atholl, Perthshire, 11am - 3.30pm. Bring a packed lunch.

Soil Association withdraws Citrox Antifoam
27th November 2007

The product is no longer permitted for organic products.

Until now Soil Association Certification Ltd has permitted the use of Antifoam supplied by Citrox for washing organic produce. This permission was based on information supplied to us by Citrox that their antifoam contained only approved processing aids from Annex VI of the regulations.

Has your business been affected by FMD?
26th November 2007

RSABI are able to offer financial support to individuals as well as farm businesses who have suffered due to the Foot and Mouth Restrictions. If you wish to apply or find out more please got to www.rsabi.org.uk or telephone 0131 472 4166

Untitled
21st November 2007

SOPA is at the Winter Fair, Ingliston
21st November 2007

Come along and visit stand 35 where the SOPA team will be for the Winter Fair on Wednesday 21st November.

Agriscot
14th November 2007

Visit SOPA at Stand 45 at the 2007 Agriscot in the Highland Hall, Ingliston.

Health Benefits of Organic Food
30th October 2007

Scientific Research has proven certain nutritional benefits of eating organic food, the Sunday Times reported on 28th October.

Scottish Government announces financial aid for FMD cost
25th October 2007

Richard Lochhead has announced a £25 million pacakge tosupport Scotland's farmers who have borne costs due to the 2007 FMD outbreak in Surrey.

Job Opportunity at Cyrenian Trust, Edinburgh
24th October 2007

Cyrenians Farm Community in Edinburgh is looking for a manager of their organic city farm. For more information download this file...

John Swan Auction Mart - St Boswells
23rd October 2007

Organic Store Lamb sale commencing 2pm on the 25th October

Entries invited - contact Jack Clark on telephone 01835 822214

Foot and Mouth Disease
19th September 2007

All livestock keepers are reminded to continue vigilance and to regularly inspect livestock.

Up to date FMD information can be found at the following web link....

FMD - All Inspections cancelled until further notice
12th September 2007

SOPA would advise all livestock farmers to adhere to Scottish Government and Defra advice regarding biosecurity and movement restrictions until further notice.

ALERT on First Year In Conversion Cereals
10th September 2007

First Year In Conversion (1IC) cereals are NOT permitted in ruminant diets from 1st January 2008. All producers should be fully aware that 1IC cereals should be sold onto the non-organic market as there is no organic sales route nor premium for 1IC grain.

Update on SOPA Organic Evaluation and Approved Product Scheme
4th September 2007

The Fee Schedule for the SOPA Evaluation and Approved Product Scheme has been reviewed and while there is no change in the cost of application, the schedule has been rewritten for clarity.

Defra announce increase in Organic Forage Seed Requirements
4th September 2007

The current derogation for 60% organic forage seed requirements is announced to increase to 65% from 1st January 2008, and 70% from 1st January 2009.

August Newsletter published
27th August 2007

PDF available below.

INSPECTIONS RESUME MONDAY 27th AUGUST
24th August 2007

Following the confirmation that the national movement ban has been lifted as of this morning and the positive news from Europe yesterday re: lifting of the export ban, SOPA will be resuming multiple livestock assessments as of Monday 27th August 2007.

FMD Update
21st August 2007

Easing of Movement Bans has been announced by Richard Lochhead.

FMD Update
21st August 2007

In light of the continued absence of FMD outbreaks and phased relaxation of livestock movements SFQC is now allowing multiple SOPA livestock assessments to be carried out in the Scottish islands which are outwith the Restricted Zone.

CANCELLED Perthshire Organic Monitor Farm Meeting
16th August 2007

Balanloan Home Farm, Blair Atholl

11am to 3.30pm

NOW CANCELLED DUE TO FMD RESTRICTIONS

Halt on Inspections remains
10th August 2007

SOPA continues to restrict all organic inspections which were scheduled for this month. No inspections have taken place since the Movement Ban was announced, and this will continue until further notice.

Foot and Mouth Update
6th August 2007

SOPA have cancelled all farm inspections due to Movement Restrictions and heightened biosecurity in the light of the confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease infection in Surrey.

Foot and Mouth Disease confirmed in Surrey
4th August 2007

Defra have confirmed today that a farm in Guildford, Surrey, has FMD in cattle. All contingency plans are been implemented which are 3km restriction zone around the site, a 10km exclusion zone and no unlicensed animal movements throughout the UK.

Glenrinnes hosts Sustainable Sheep Event
24th July 2007

SOPA member Glenrinnes Estate, Dufftown hosted a Sustainable Sheep event for the British Charollais Sheep Society last Thursday.

SOPA Newsletter dates
12th July 2007

The next SOPA newsletter is under construction

Where to buy organic food
9th July 2007

The Scottish Agricultural College have worked in conjunction with SOPA and other certifying bodies in Scotland to draw up a list of organic producers who sell direct to consumers in Scotland.

Argyll Organic Awareness Day
29th June 2007

See Photos here

Spring 2007 Newsletter
13th June 2007

Downloadable here

SOPA Annual General Meeting
11th June 2007

The SOPA AGM will be held on Thursday 14th June at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Livingstone. Following the meeting there will be an Open Floor Discussion with members of the Board and SOPA staff. This will be followed by lunch and then all attendants are invited to convene at Caroline and Graham Hamilton's Cairns Farm, Kirknewton for a tour of Mrs Hamilton's Organic Beef and Lamb Farm Shop and On-Farm Butchery.

Please confirm your attendance by telephoning 0131 335 6606 or faxing back the form you received in the post with your AGM papers.

SOPA approve St Boswells Mart for organic livestock trading
11th June 2007

SOPA are delighted to approve John Swan Ltd, Auctioneers, Valuers and Estate Agents, at St Boswells Mart for sales of organic and in-conversion livestock. This will be a valuable service for organic livestock producers in the Borders.

Organic Awareness Day in Argyll
30th May 2007

Argyll & Bute Agricultural Forum are inviting organic farmers in Argyll to a one day workshop on the 28th June 2007.

Guidance in the Event of Avian Flu Outbreak
25th May 2007

Defra have released information on the procedures for organic poultry farmers in the event of an outbreak of Aivan Influenza

SAC Summer Event programme
11th May 2007

Follow this link for the list of organic events organised by SAC. SOPA will be attending as many of these as possible, so we look forward to seeing you there!

SOPA Appoints new Development Officer
11th May 2007

SOPA are pleased to announce the official appointment of the new Development Officer, Debs Roberts.

Defra Announce Feed Derogation Changes
3rd May 2007

Urgent note to all SOPA members: Defra have announced the changes to the non-organic 1IC and 2IC feed allowances.

SOPA hosts Turkish Delegation
2nd May 2007

SOPA spent the second half of April hosting two parties of Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) government officials. The tours were arranged as part of a Europe-Aid funded project to align EU and Turkey organic agricultural legislation.

SOPA farm joins monitor network
26th February 2007

Scotland's newest Monitor farm is also the first organic beef and sheep unit in the project. Atholl Estate's Balanloan Home farm, in Blair Atholl, has been selected by local farmers, Quality Meat Scotland, SEERAD and SOPA as the latest to join the growing network of monitor farms across Scotland.

Scotland's First QMS Organic Monitor Farm
12th February 2007

SOPA are delighted to be involved with the development of the first organic QMS monitor farm in Scotland. Peter Lindsay of SAC Perth will act as the facilitator and the farm is to be in the Perthshire area, it may be an existing organic farm or one which has just entered into conversion.

SEERAD recognises organic sheep production for SFP
21st December 2005

SOPA member Mr. Richard Jenkins, of Savisgarth, in Evie , Orkney with the assistance of Orkney MSP, Jim Wallace has challenged SEERAD successfully over the unfair allocation of SFP suffered because of the reduced stocking rates required under organic production

Organic Farming a Good Option under New CAP
12th December 2005

"With CAP Reform separating subsidy from production, conversion to organic farming could be a good option on some farms, says SAC’s Senior Organic Farming Specialist, David Younie."

The separation of subsidy support from production on 1 January 2005, and the introduction of the Single Farm Payment, gives farmers an opportunity to reassess their farming operations. And, given the modulation of a proportion of this subsidy support, it will be important also that they consider the opportunities offered by Agri-Environment Schemes such as the SEERAD Organic Aid Scheme (OAS).

Interested in out of season lamb finishing?
25th November 2005

McIntosh Donald has stated that continuity of supply throughout the year is vital to ensure that supermarket shelves are full of home-bred lamb. Producers are urged to consider extending their marketing period, where feeding regimes permit. Finishers in the late spring and summer season should be more confident as McIntosh Donald are currently working on a forward price commitment to put to organic lamb finishers for May and June next year.

Soil Association Scotland is proposing to re-schedule the out of season lamb finishing event in late November provided there is enough interest amongst producers. To register your interest or receive further information contact Lyn Matheson.

Tel: 0131 666 0847 email: LMatheson@SoilAssociation.org

Avian Influenza Awareness Meetings
22nd November 2005

SAC invites you to attend one of the Avian Influenza Awareness meetings that it has organised on behalf of SEERAD across the country.

As well as providing background information on Avian Influenza and Government’s contingency plans, the meetings are intended to make sure that all keepers of poultry, but in particular those from the smaller companies, small-holdings and those keeping ‘hobby’ flocks, are aware of what they can do to protect their birds and themselves from disease.

EFRC - A sense of proportion in a world gone Avian Flu mad
18th November 2005

In the UK, contingency planning has focused much attention on outdoor, free-range and organic poultry, with the claimed risk that they are most exposed to infection from wild bird populations. All commercial poultry flocks are now being registered and logged by Defra. Hobby flocks and back-garden birds are not, despite the fact that such intimate mingling of people and poultry most closely mimics the S E Asia experience. EFRC considers this focus on commercial outdoor and organic units disproportionate.

Please see link below

Organic Store Sale - United Auctions, Stirling
13th September 2005

Annual sale of 100 organic store and breeding cattle. 65 Store cattle and 35 Breeding cattle incl. 10 Superior Bulling Heifers from Hagbrae.

Also 1900 Organic store lambs and 200 Breeding Sheep.

Sale to commence wuth cattle at 11.00am followed immediately by sheep.

For further information please call Douglas Guild Tel: 07764 464 371

Organic Farmers make a difference for English Wildlife
8th August 2005

In the largest and most comprehensive study of organic farming to date, in the Royal Society Journal, Biology Letters, scientists from leading UK institutions show conclusively that organic farms provide greater benefits for a range of wildlife including wild flowers, beetles, spiders, birds and bats than their conventional counterparts.

Organic Cod is a world first
3rd August 2005

Shetland company Johnston Seafarms is pioneering in new waters with organic farmed cod.

Jamesfield Organic Centre
2nd July 2005

The long awaited organic centre at Jamesfield opened on Saturday 2nd July 2005. The facility incorporates Scotland's first 'on-farm' organic restaurant also shop, bakery and butchery.

Scottish Organic Producer Group
19th May 2005

SAC and Graig Farm Producers are setting up a Scottish Organic Producers Group for Marketing Organic Red Meat.

Sheep Scab Occurance Map (March 2005)
30th March 2005

Please see a copy of the occurance map for sheep scab in Scotland. (data from the recent questionnaire).

See download in members area.

Food Standards Agency Scotland (FSAS) - Food Safety guide for farmers markets
25th March 2005

The Food Standards Agency Scotland has published a guide to help keep food safe in farmers markets.

Mineral Solution to Bovine TB
9th December 2004

Article from Westcountry Farming, supplement in Western Morning Newspaper SW England

Scottish Food and Drink
9th December 2004

Organic Project-next steps

AgriScot 2004
17th November 2004

SOPA members win first prize in two silage categories at AgriScot.

Shetland Croft Visit
10th June 2004

Crofters Commission organised a trip for SEERAD, SAC and Organic certification bodies to visit different crofts in Shetland to see for themselves the challenges facing their crofting future. Chris Atkinson, SOPA's technical policy advisor and Katrina Barclay, SOPA's Services Manager represented SOPA and commented "Shetland Organic Producers do not face dissimilar organic issues encountered by our members on the mainland, although many elements are amplified due to their harsh weather conditions. Our members on Shetland are flourishing and we need to keep up the lines of communication to make sure we are kept informed of their situations". Read more.

SOPA Press release
29th April 2004

New Incentives for Scottish Organic Farmers