New research has indicated that British organic farming and the viability of the government's strategy on green agriculture is at risk.

The warning came as the government published a 21-point Organic Action Plan setting out a series of measures to increase the size of the UK's organic market.

Ministers aim to ensure that British farmers play an increased part in an expanded sector as Europe's agriculture shifts to less intensive "green" techniques.

Forum Response: Food and Drink Federation

Martin Paterson, deputy director general of the Food and Drink Federation, told ePolitix.com: "FDF played an important part in these discussions for the Action Plan and supports these steps which will improve the supply of raw materials to UK food and drink manufacturers and improve the prospects for the UK's organic growers.

"The industry already buys two-thirds of UK agricultural (conventional and organic) produce in total. It is important to remember that quality, cost and supply issues remain critical factors to UK manufacturers when sourcing raw materials, whether it be from the UK, Europe or internationally."

Forum Response: Countryside Alliance

Richard Burge, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "This new action plan is very much to be welcomed. Crucially, the plan follows the Curry Report's recommendation that sustainability be the focus for the future of the agriculture industry, including the organic sector.

"We have long called for a flourishing organic sector as an important element within a sustainable farming sector. We hope this action plan will go along way to levelling out the playing field between British producers and their European counterparts.

"To this end we are very impressed by this new plan, although I would urge that we are led now by market forces rather than subsidies - we need to distance ourselves from the old days of CAP and move forward".

Forum Response: British Retail Consortium

Bill Moyes, director general of the British Retail Consortium, told ePolitix.com: "Retailers have welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Organic Action Plan. The sector will continue to play a pivotal role in the development of organic food and farming in England.

"The retail sector has been fundamental to growing the organic sector in the UK. By providing information on opportunities for producers to help meet real consumer demand, retailers will continue to assist the development of a successful home grown organic sector."

Forum Response: Game Conservancy Trust

Dr Stephen Tapper, director of policy and public affairs, told ePolitix.com: ""We support the approach advocated by Sir Donald Curry in his "Food & Farming" report and are pleased to see DEFRA following up his recommendations.

"We think there are environmental benefits to farming organically and we would like to see UK producers take up the current home demand. However we must not forget that organic food comes at a higher price and not all consumers are willing to pay the extra premium.

"We think the target of 30 per cent of farmland being organic by 2010 is ambitious. Further we note that if we are to deliver on our Biodiversity targets for birds and other species we need to address the conservation needs on the remaining 70 per cent or more of farmland as a priority. "