Policy Reports Archive

Here you can view and download our archive of Policy Documents.

Each link will download a PDF to your device

If you are looking for the Written Evidence from government resources these have a separate page.

2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1998,

2012

Just say N2O: From manufactured fertiliser to biologically fixed nitrogen

Evidence suggests that farming systems that use legumes and clover to fix nitrogen naturally behave differently in terms of nitrogen retention and loss than those that use manufactured nitrogen fertilisers. A move away from manufactured nitrogen would also help mitigate the climate change. Our report explores the latest evidence around the use of manufactured nitrogen on farms.

Feeding the future

Organic and other agro-ecological farming systems can help the world feed itself, but as well as changing our farming systems, we need to eat differently, feed our livestock differently, and waste less food.

2011

The Lazy Man of Europe

During our 2011 conference, we released a new report which asks the government to wake up to what Europe can teach the UK about backing organic food and farming.

Old MacDonald had a farm

This joint report from the Soil Association and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) reveals that hundreds of UK farmers could be driven out of business if planning permission is granted for mega farms in Britain.

First aid for hospital food

This report reveals that a significant number of hospitals are sourcing fresh, local and organic food with no impact on cost. But too many are still falling short of acceptable standards.

2010

Telling porkies: The big fat lie about doubling food production

This report reveals that claims that we need to double global food production by 2050, or 50% by 2030, are wrong.

Return of the turkey twizzler?

This report outlines how substantial improvements in school food in England over the past five years are beginning to deliver significant benefits to pupils’ health and ability to learn.

Feeding the animals that feed us

This report opens the urgently needed debate on how we can move away from feeding our farm animals grains and imported proteins and promotes more sustainable alternatives such as increased grazing and use of home-grown feed.

A rock and a hard place: Peak phosphorus and the threat to our food security

Our research reveals that supplies of phosphate rock are running out faster than previously thought and that declining supplies and higher prices of phosphate are a new threat to global food security.

2009

Soil Carbon and organic farming. A review of the evidence of agriculture’s potential to combat climate change

Our report looks at the potential role that soil can play in sequestering atmospheric carbon, and concludes that wholesale conversion to organic farming on a global scale could sequester 11% of total global anthropogenic greenhouse gases.

Food Futures: Strategies for resilient food and farming

Our report outlines what we believe should be a blueprint for a more sustainable approach to food and farming.

Double dividend?

Our report outlines what we believe should be a blueprint for a more sustainable approach to food and farming.

Biodiversity benefits of organic farming

This report presents and reviews the findings of nine studies on the biodiversity supported by organic farming in the lowlands, compared to non-organic farming systems. From the individual findings, general conclusions are drawn.

2008

Soil not Oil

This booklet presents the case for a sustainable and more secure future based on organic farming as we move towards a post-oil age.

The impact of rising oil prices on organic and non-organic farm profitability

The Soil Association asked Andersons, the farm business consultants, to look at the impact of high oil prices on the profitability of organic and non-organic farming. Andersons calculated some crop and system (whole rotations) gross margins at the roughly current oil price of $135 per barrel, and at the higher, but regularly predicted price of $200 per barrel.

Rethinking Britain’s Food Security

This research report for the Soil Association was written by the Centre for Food Policy at City University London. The report concludes that there is compelling evidence for a rethinking of policy around national food security, and that the UK government has a key role to play in this.

Land of the GM-free

A briefing on the launch of a major new non-GM labelling initiative in the US, the latest on US farmers rejection of new GM crops and the staggering collapse in the market for Monsanto's GM milk hormone.

GM crops – the health effects

An investigation into the health effects of GM crops as it begins to emerge that if they are fed to animals, small amounts of GM material appear in the resulting meat and dairy products.

Georgie Porgie pudding and pie

This is the first detailed investigation into the state of food fed to young children attending nurseries in England and Wales.

Course notes: getting equipped to bring organic and local food into universities and colleges

Course Notes is aimed at students, caterers and staff in universities and colleges who are interested in introducing local and organic local food. It features case studies, hints and tips and pointers to get you started with your own initiative.

An inconvenient truth about food – neither secure nor resilient

This report on Britain's food security summarises how UK food self-sufficiency has declined over the past decade and that there is no overall, future-proofed 'Food Plan for Britain'.

2007

MRSA in farm animals and meat

This report focuses on a major new antibiotic-resistance problem in farming, which may have serious consequences for human health. In some countries MRSA has been found in a large number of farm animals and in retail meat.

Silent invasion – the hidden use of GM crops in livestock feed

An investigation into the use of GM animal feed which finds that large quantities are being used in the UK to produce our food. This means that most of the non-organic milk, dairy products and pork sold in the UK is from GM-fed animals.

Not what the doctor ordered

This report, sponsored by Organix uncovers a glaring contradiction between the Government's policy on healthy eating and the dominance of junk food on sale in many hospitals and leisure facilities.

Our planet agriculture – the case for action

This booklet, from the Soil Association's 2007 annual conference, includes key articles on peak oil, energy use and the need to relocalise food

A fresh approach to hospital food

This report sets out the Cornwall Food Programme, which pioneers tasty, healthier and environmentally friendly hospital meals.

2006

The real meal deal

This report from the Soil Association and Organix takes a look at what's on the menu for children at 10 popular family restaurant chains and 14 major visitor attractions.

Taking our children for a ride

A snap shot survey of the food and drink available at 14 major tourist attractions across England and Wales, carried out by the Soil Association and Organix, found that junk food is king and there is a depressing lack of healthy food and drink choices available.

Setting the standard

How the food for life project set the standard for school meals and food education.

Organic works

The first ever report looking at employment on organic farms, and how organic farming is providing more jobs through organic farming and local food supply.

2005

Food and values (v.10)

Food and Values questions the Government's current agricultural policy and whether it is out of step with changes in people's values and Britain's food revolution.

2003

Too hard to crack – eggs with drug residues

This report highlights to problem of dangerous drug residues found in millions of eggs. Too Hard to Crack is the fourth in the 'use and misuse of antibiotics' series.

Food For Life – healthy, local, organic school meals

The Food For Life project aims to get better food into schools. Our report reveals the alarming state of primary school meals in the UK and examines why things have got so bad. As well as case studies of schools pioneering healthy mealtimes, the report details actions that schools, caterers, government and parents can take to get healthy, local and organic food into schools.

Batteries not included – organic farming and animal health

Batteries not included looks at the major animal welfare benefits provided by organic farms, and the opportunities to further improve welfare for organic farm animals.

2002

Seeds of doubt – North American farmers’ experiences of GM crops

This report is the first to reveal the serious widespread impacts of GM crops in North America on the food and farming industry, where three-quarters of the world’s GM food is grown. It is the most comprehensive review of the situation to be produced from a non-biotechnology industry perspective.

Local Food Routes

Summarises the work of Food futures partnerships which have worked together on developing sustainable local food economies across the UK.

1998

The use and misuse of antibiotics in UK agriculture – resistance and human health

Examining the extent to which the use of antibiotics in agriculture contributes to the development of resistant strains of bacteria which may compromise human health.