Organic Rapeseed Supply Chain
Development of a project plan establishing a sustainable, profitable and long-term supply chain for organic rapeseed and associated products in Scotland.
Show MoreThis group is trying to resolve an issue related to changing regulations regarding the sourcing and origin of organic animal feeds. Currently, most organic animal feeds come in the form of imported organic soya, but changing regulations will stipulate sourcing of feeds from within a particular radius of the farm.
A new set of rules for the organic sector is being proposed by the EU to reflect major changes in the organic sector over the last two decades. Part of this proposal is a drive towards locally sourced products to replace imported organic feed. ‘Local’ has still to be agreed but could be within a 60-mile radius of the farm. This is both a challenge and an opportunity - especially given there is currently not enough domestic organic protein available.
If the problem is not solved, Scottish organic livestock producers could be left without adequate sources of feed when regulations change. Therefore, the project aims to:
1. Pull together interested parties who can organise an effective trial run of organic rapeseed in Scotland
2. Learn from existing successful organic rapeseed growing systems – principally in Denmark, but also France or other geographies.
3. Develop a project plan to establish a sustainable, profitable and long-term supply chain for organic rapeseed and associated products in Scotland.