IMPORTS will continue to supply the bulk of our organic market unless significant changes are made to the support offered to the UK's organic farmers, says the NFU.

Mr Tim Bennett, the NFU deputy president, gave this warning to the Agriculture Select Committee's inquiry into the regulation, promotion and marketing of UK organic products.

In spite of rising demand for organic food, the number of UK farmers applying to convert was levelling off, and even falling, after years of steady growth.

Mr Bennett pointed out that producers in other EU member states had been better supported during and after conversion and that support had enabled them to undercut British producers.

The organic farming scheme, which gave desperately needed help to production from 1998, ran out of cash after four months, said Mr Bennett, and was closed. Further support arrangements were unlikely to be available before next April.

The NFU suggested that better targeted grants would help unlock the huge potential for increasing organic production, particularly for fruit, vegetables and cereals. The support of retailers was also fundamental to the expansion of the sector.

Mr Bennett said imports were crucial to market supply at the moment but that was not a desirable long-term situation as UK consumers preferred to buy UK produced food.

"We need to determine whether we are prepared to invest in home production or continue our dependence on imports," he said "Organic production is no longer a niche market."

The NFU wants to see the UK organic industry working towards the implementation of a single organic standard in this country and the standardisation of demands placed on farmers in all EU member states.