Dr Phil Morley joins Soil Association Certification as Fresh Produce Trade Consultant

21 July 2011

Soil Association Certification welcomes Dr Phil Morley, who begins this week as Fresh Produce Trade Consultant.

Soil Association Certification is the UK’s largest organic certification body, certifying over 70% of all organic products sold in the UK. The appointment of Dr Phil Morley is part of Soil Association Certification's ongoing commitment to providing the best possible technical and industry knowledge to ensure both the integrity of organic products and to support the development and growth of the organic market.

Dr Phil Morley has worked at a senior level in UK and European horticulture for the past 15 years. A graduate of the University of Leeds, Phil had a background in agronomy and organic farming and was keen to apply his passion for organic production to the challenges of commercial horticulture. He was originally employed by UK tomato producer Wight Salads, to develop the then nascent world of large scale organic production in glasshouses.

Phil assisted Wight Salads in becoming the largest independent organic tomato producer in the EU, operating nurseries in the UK, Spain and Portugal. He has participated in organic standards development from an industry perspective for the past 12 years and is now a member of the Soil Association Horticultural Standards Committee as well as participating on several other industry and research forums.

Through his role as Head Technical Agronomist at Wight Salads, Phil has also worked with many of the major UK multiple retailers and has an excellent understanding of technical, growing and organic packhouse operations in the fresh produce industry.

Over the past decade Phil has taken part in leading and co-ordinating over £800,000 of Horticultural Development Council funded research. These projects have included some ground breaking work recently completed in insect pest management and soil biology in organic situations.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Phil Morley said:
“I have been involved with large scale organic commercial horticulture for over 15 years, developing novel and sustainable systems from an agronomic, research and innovation perspective. During this time I have also worked closely with many of the UK's largest retailers.

“It is this practical applied approach to business together with an understanding of retailers and marketing which I hope will bring significant value to Soil Association producers in my new role as a member of the Soil Association Business Development team.

“I am very much looking forward to meeting up with producers and retailers in this new context and together I am sure we can make a real difference to the ongoing success of the organic fresh produce market.”

Rob Sexton, CEO of Soil Association Certification added:
“It’s fantastic to have Phil on board as Trade Consultant, joining a team that is characterised by unrivalled practical experience and support. His appointment reflects the dedication of Soil Association Certification to providing the best knowledge and service to our licensees, and to ensuring the integrity of our organic products. We look forward to working with him to build on the ongoing success of such an important sector.”