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Minister clarifies organic views Minister clarifies organic views
(about 9 hours later)
The environment secretary has sought to clarify his views on organic food, after describing it a "lifestyle choice" without proven benefits. The environment secretary has sought to clarify his views on organic food, after describing it as a "lifestyle choice" without proven benefits.
"I always say that people, including myself, buy organic for taste and environmental benefits," he told the Journal newspaper. "I always say that people, including myself, buy organic for taste and environmental benefits," David Miliband told the Journal newspaper.
The Soil Association has accused David Miliband of back-pedalling after what it called a "very careless remark". The Soil Association has accused Mr Miliband of back-pedalling after what it called a "very careless remark".
He had said non-organic produce should not be regarded as "second best".He had said non-organic produce should not be regarded as "second best".
In a Sunday Times interview, Mr Miliband had been asked about health benefit claims made by organic food supporters.In a Sunday Times interview, Mr Miliband had been asked about health benefit claims made by organic food supporters.
He said: "The 2003 Food Standards Agency says they're not proven. But the environmental and taste benefits are obviously a big incentive to consumers."He said: "The 2003 Food Standards Agency says they're not proven. But the environmental and taste benefits are obviously a big incentive to consumers."
"Organic food is only 4% of total farm produce, not 40%, and I would not want to say that 96% of our farm produce is inferior because it is not organic.""Organic food is only 4% of total farm produce, not 40%, and I would not want to say that 96% of our farm produce is inferior because it is not organic."
Mr Miliband said his department spent £50m a year supporting organic farming because of the "biodiversity benefits" it brought.Mr Miliband said his department spent £50m a year supporting organic farming because of the "biodiversity benefits" it brought.
Scientific evidenceScientific evidence
His remarks angered some organic farmers who saw them as a rebuke to those who criticise conventional farming practices.His remarks angered some organic farmers who saw them as a rebuke to those who criticise conventional farming practices.
According to the Soil Association, organic food sales in the UK increased by 30% to £1.6bn in 2006.According to the Soil Association, organic food sales in the UK increased by 30% to £1.6bn in 2006.
Spokesman Robin Maynard said the organisation wrote to the environment secretary, outlining scientific evidence it found backing claims that organic produce was healthier.Spokesman Robin Maynard said the organisation wrote to the environment secretary, outlining scientific evidence it found backing claims that organic produce was healthier.
Mr Maynard said: "He is trying to row back from a very careless remark he made when he talked about consumers making a 'lifestyle choice' which was deeply patronising.Mr Maynard said: "He is trying to row back from a very careless remark he made when he talked about consumers making a 'lifestyle choice' which was deeply patronising.
He added "He has not answered our questions - we have sent him a rather detailed letter setting out the evidence coming from his own department about the health benefits."He added "He has not answered our questions - we have sent him a rather detailed letter setting out the evidence coming from his own department about the health benefits."