ORGANIC METHODS COULD SAVE FARMING', SAYS CHARLES

PA 13.10.98 13:21


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By Nick Meo, PA New
The Prince of Wales said today he believed agriculture had "lost its soul", but could be saved by organic farming.
He spoke of his sympathy for Britain's small farmers and rural communities struggling to survive - and warned of the dangers of rushing into genetic crop-farming - when he opened a university research centre.
The prince, who has farmed his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire organically for seven years, made his call at the opening of the 5 million Aberdeen University Centre for Organic Agriculture.
The prince, who was later today expected to meet Scottish National Party leader Alex Salmond for a private meeting, told his audience: "I believe agriculture lost its soul.
"Organic farming can put its soul back."
Farm management required "a bit of science and a great deal of art," and the prince said: "It would be a tragedy of immense proportions if we repeated the same mistake and became obsessed with genetic crops only to learn our mistake in 30 years' time."
He added: "We have treated the land and animals as machines. Hopefully we will learn from our mistakes before it becomes too late.
"The demand for organic produce is a consequence of great concerns over modern scientific farming."
Addressing an audience of farmers, scientists and academics, the Prince spoke of the crisis facing small farmers, and his particular concern at the plight of livestock farmers.
And he warned that Scotland's rural culture was at stake.
"I hope this centre can provide help to those farmers who are struggling to survive.
"The demand for organic produce is at an all-time high. There are real opportunities for farmers at a time other avenues are becoming unprofitable."
He said the arguments for organic farming were not just economic, but across a whole range of environmental benefits. "I believe they will become more and more apparent as time goes on."
Warning of a "catastrophic decline" in once-common farmland birds like skylark, red partridge and lapwing and tree-sparrows, he lamented: "We grew up with sparrows everywhere. Now you rarely see them.
"I'm glad to say there are quite a few more appearing at Highgrove. So the system does work."
He said organic farming could help sustainable rural employment, and told his audience of discussions with Inverness organic farmer William Rose who had told the prince how he had taken on more workers.

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