Organic Conversion - which certification body?

[patrickr321]

Hi all

We are planning to go through organic conversion We are based in West Wales with 75 acres permanent pasture: sheep, tack cattle and plans to grow some cash crop. I've looked at Soil Association and BDA as potential certification bodies. Wide question, but does anyone have any experience of either body and things to look out for when starting down the road?

Thanks

Patrick

 

[Derrick Hughes]

I'm with Aberystwyth these

Welsh Organic Scheme

Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers

welshorganic.co.uk

 

[same crap different day]

+1 for aberystwyth

 

[Ffermer Bach]

welsh organic scheme, certainly. Apart from the fact that in Wales use a Welsh scheme, Soil Association is run by the "natural yogurt knitting brigade"

 

[CornishTone]

welsh organic scheme, certainly. Apart from the fact that in Wales use a Welsh scheme, Soil Association is run by the "natural yogurt knitting brigade"

+1 for avoiding the Soil Association like the plague!

 

[Widgetone]

Org farmers and growers pretty good, Shropshire, so nearby..

 

[Sid]

I'm with Aberystwyth these

Welsh Organic Scheme

Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers

welshorganic.co.uk

Your in as a forage trader you don't have any land registered as org IIRC.

Totally different ball game IMHO


When looking at certification go through the sections relevant to your business, some have stricter(gold plated) standards that maybe more challenging.

Also you can change certification bodies as well. I have from SA to OF&G. Each has their own due process they follow in relation to derogation ie 60% forage seeds.

 

[ploughman1963]

Perhaps you’ve asked this question on another thread as i answered the same question earlier today - OF&G would be my suggestion.
Only other thing I would add - having been involved in organic dairy for some6-7 years now - I really would ask, why would you want to go organic?
if you strongly believe in the organic ethos then fair enough but as a commercial decision I just can’t see why you would. I have totally embraced farming organically over the last few years and I enjoy it and there are principles that make sense and can cross over to conventional but when it comes to making money, I’d be going conventional every time

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Your in as a forage trader you don't have any land registered as org IIRC.

Totally different ball game IMHO


When looking at certification go through the sections relevant to your business, some have stricter(gold plated) standards that maybe more challenging.

Also you can change certification bodies as well. I have from SA to OF&G. Each has their own due process they follow in relation to derogation ie 60% forage seeds.

Yes it is different but I still get an annual inspection,

 

[Sid]

Yes it is different but I still get an annual inspection,

And?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I will add, that I think the Soil Association has done a great job of publicising organic production and generally raising the profile of organic products, however having said that, I would still recommend the Welsh Scheme in Aberystwyth.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

And?

No and
Buzz off

 

[Sid]

No and
Buzz off

You have processor certification, the OP was asking about producer certification.
Completely different set of standards,inspection and checks.

You don't need any certification for selling organic seeds as long as the bags are sealed and your not mixing seeds.
Same stands for conventional I believe.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

You have processor certification, the OP was asking about producer certification.
Completely different set of standards,inspection and checks.

You don't need any certification for selling organic seeds as long as the bags are sealed and your not mixing seeds.
Same stands for conventional I believe.

I have to keep a record of my seed sales which are inspected
I also have to keep a record of my conventnal sales that can be inspected also
You must be licensed if your business is involved in marketing seeds covered by the Regulations.
That includes just marketing

I should have stated this in my first comment sorry, but my part was that I get a lot of feedback on licensing authorities by the customers I supply,

 

[Derrick Hughes]

You have processor certification, the OP was asking about producer certification.
Completely different set of standards,inspection and checks.

You don't need any certification for selling organic seeds as long as the bags are sealed and your not mixing seeds.
Same stands for conventional I believe.

I have to keep a record of my seed sales which are inspected
I also have to keep a record of my conventnal sales that can be inspected also
You must be licensed if your business is involved in marketing seeds covered by the Regulations.
That includes just marketing

I should have stated this in my first comment sorry, but my part was that I get a lot of feedback on licensing authorities by the customers I supply

 

[Sid]

I have to keep a record of my seed sales which are inspected
I also have to keep a record of my conventnal sales that can be inspected also
You must be licensed if your business is involved in marketing seeds covered by the Regulations.
That includes just marketing

I should have stated this in my first comment sorry, but my part was that I get a lot of feedback on licensing authorities by the customers I supply,

So Mr Tescos etc are all inspected and regulated on grass seed sales.

Sorry its off topic

Back on topic , you do have a completely different inspection process to a producer then?

 

[deleted user 436632456]

I know nothing about organic conversion but do use Organic Farmers & Growers for a number of other schemes and I find them firm but fair.

We have had our moments over the years but who hasn't.

Really miss the auditor who retired a few years ago as he had a wealth of knowledge, not sure if he enjoyed visiting me as I just bombarded him with continual questions.

 

[Sid]

I have to keep a record of my seed sales which are inspected
I also have to keep a record of my conventnal sales that can be inspected also
You must be licensed if your business is involved in marketing seeds covered by the Regulations.
That includes just marketing

I should have stated this in my first comment sorry, but my part was that I get a lot of feedback on licensing authorities by the customers I supply,

Have looked at APHA database,no mention of a Hughes in Wales

List of companies registered for seed industry activities in England and Wales - GOV.UK

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

 

[Kevtherev]

I have to keep a record of my seed sales which are inspected
I also have to keep a record of my conventnal sales that can be inspected also
You must be licensed if your business is involved in marketing seeds covered by the Regulations.
That includes just marketing

I should have stated this in my first comment sorry, but my part was that I get a lot of feedback on licensing authorities by the customers I supply,

Who are you licenced by?
Hope you got your TV licence too

 

[Derrick Hughes]

So Mr Tescos etc are all inspected and regulated on grass seed sales.

Sorry its off topic

Back on topic , you do have a completely different inspection process to a producer then?

Have looked at APHA database,no mention of a Hughes in Wales

List of companies registered for seed industry activities in England and Wales - GOV.UK

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

Try Derrick Hughes & Co Ltd
I have the licence at home in the office ,