FARMERS in the region are being offered new incentives to go organic by the Government.
They are being invited to join the 23 farmers in the area who are already converting to organic production to meet the expanding demand from consumers.
Farmers converting to this form of production receive up to £450 per hectare over five years.
A national total of about £20m will be available from January 2 as part of a £1.6bn seven-year programme to divert agricultural funding away from production subsidies towards payments for environmental production and developing the rural economy.
Countryside Minister Elliot Morley said: "I am pleased that the scheme has already been enthusiastically taken up by farmers in the North-East and I hope that more will join our scheme next year."
Farmers interested in the Organic Farming Scheme should contact their regional ministry office. Those in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear can telephone (01228) 523400 and farmers in Teesside and Durham should contact (01609) 773751
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