UK ORGANIC producers want the country's organic standards to remain the same after Brexit.

A survey by the Scottish Organic Producer’s Association found that 90% of respondents wanted no change in the current organic regulations.

Businesses throughout the organic sector responded to the SOPA consultation, with the majority of respondents – 85% – coming from the farming sector. Of the 380 or so consultees, more than half expect Brexit to trigger changes in the non-organic food, farming and environment regulations, and more than half reckoned the overall regulatory burden would become stricter rather than more relaxed.

90% of the respondents consulted said they wanted no change in the organic regulation, with a third of respondents saying that any increased regulation would be bad for their business. Only 10% disagreed and felt that a stricter organic regulation would help their business.

The respondents' highest priorities with regards to Brexit were continued support for the organic sector (90%) and ongoing access to EU markets (83%). Almost 70% said they wanted a trade agreement with the EU, while free movement of people across state borders was important to 66% of respondents – but 44% said that immigrant labour was not important to their business.

SOPA policy manager Debs Roberts said: “The impact of Brexit is going to be felt across all sectors, so as a member organisation it is imperative we find out what our members had to say about the matter.

“It is obvious that it is a subject at the forefront of everyone’s minds based on the results of our consultation, and it was both interesting and encouraging to see that two-thirds of those we spoke to are planning on conducting a strategic review of their business, as well as investigating new markets. I believe this shows a positive attitude in a time of uncertainty and the willingness to adapt to a changing business landscape.”