Organic farmers hit back at Miliband's food verdict

Organic farmers defended their produce after David Miliband, the Environment Secretary, said that there was no conclusive evidence that it was better than conventional food.

Mr Miliband, whose remit covers food and rural affairs, sparked a row over the merits of organically produced food after insisting in The Sunday Times that buying organic was a "lifestyle choice" and arguing that non-organic produce was not inferior.

According to the Soil Association, sales of organic food increased by 30 per cent to £1.6bn in the UK last year. But Mr Miliband said: "It's a lifestyle choice that people can make. There isn't any conclusive evidence either way. It's only 4 per cent of total farm produce, not 40 per cent and I don't want to say that 96 per cent of our farm produce is inferior because it's not organic."

The Soil Association insisted that there was a difference between organic and conventional food.

Robin Maynard, the campaigns director for the Soil Association, said: "This is not unfamiliar, but it is slightly disappointing. It has been shown over the years that there is a difference between food produced organically and that produced using industrial methods. It is not just a lifestyle choice. In terms of the environment, organic is better. Mr Miliband's own government has recognised in the past that organic food can be better for that. In fact, organic farmers get an extra payment due to this.

"I think he is talking about the health differences, which is crucial for many people making their choice."

Mr Maynard said research had shown that organic produce had higher levels of vitamin C and that recent research into organic milk had proved it contained higher levels of Omega 3.

But he acknowledged that there was a lack of research showing how organic food could be healthier.

Peter Kendall, the president of the National Farmers' Union, said organic agriculture was a "great opportunity" for farmers, but defended conventional farming methods. "If a small but growing percentage of consumers want a different product, then that's a great opportunity for members," he said. "But I have a real problem with conventional methods being demeaned at every opportunity."