Organic producers ask for rules 'holiday'

LONDON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Britain's organic farmers say they're asking the government for a "holiday" from strict standards in the face of economic hardships and slumping sales.

A drop in sales of organically grown produce has produced financial fears for the future of Britain's 5,000 organic farmers. Consumer researchers TNS indicated 10 percent fewer organic products were sold in the 12 weeks up to the end of November, The Times of London reported Monday.

Organic certification bodies, such as the Soil Association, say they have asked British Rural Affair Secretary Hilary Benn to relax the rules for an indefinite period. Among the government mandates from which they seek relief is one requiring they feed their livestock organic food concentrate instead of conventional animal feed, which doubles farmers' costs, the newspaper said.

Britain's organic farmers say they want to establish new organic ground rules before the market becomes even more depressed next year and a new generation of producers prepares to enter the market.

Some farming groups, however, are decrying the moves, saying organic rules "holidays" will only confuse shoppers and lead to a further sales slump, The Times said.