ORGANIC farmers need to be more organised and professional to make a good living in the modern food market, according to Ralph Human, managing director of the Organic Livestock Marketing Co-operative.

While food scares such as BSE and the foot-and-mouth epidemic motivated many people to eat organic meat in the past, he says farmers cannot rely on attracting fresh business this way, hence the need for organisation and a professional approach.

OLMC will make this point when it exhibits in the Organic Farming and Food Centre at this year's Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park, from July 4-7.

The co-operative has about 360 members, for whom it markets both finished and store sheep and cattle, and has concentrated on building a supply chain to ensure members have a secure market for their stock.

Mr Human says there is huge potential for growth.

"Over 25pc of organic beef is still imported, so there is still a significant opportunity for Brit-ish producers," he said. "But producers need to realise that, while they were in the driving seat when the organic market was a niche, they are no longer in that position.

"While the organic sector is still quite small compared with the mainstream meat industry, 85pc of organic meat is now sold through supermarkets, and the rest through other processors and butchers.

"If you are going to work with these people you must be organised and professional, and ensure that the customer has confidence in you.

"Continuity of supply is vital or the market will struggle to survive and develop," he said.

For that reason, the company wants to recruit existing organic farmers to its membership, as well as to make contact with people looking to convert to organic production, and potential customers, by exhibiting at the show.