Soil Association Chides U.K. For Failing To Promote Organic Food And Farming

A report by the U.K.’s Soil Association says that organic food sales grew during the recession in most of Europe, but actually dropped in 2009 by nearly 14 percent in the U.K. The group says the sales slide is evidence that the U.K. is slacking off when it comes to promoting organic food and farming. According to the report, most European countries “have acted confidently to normalize and champion organic food and farming,” but U.K. governments “have been diffident, if not lazy on the subject.” The Soil Association made a number of recommendations, including that the U.K. government welcome the organic market as an important growth area for the economy and recognize the vital role played by organic farmers and food businesses in creating this growth.