| Abstract: | This paper seeks to make three contributions to the study of organic food in contemporary society. The first section examines the changing socio-political position of organics in the UK, taking a brief look at supply-chain and consumption relations. The second section of the paper addresses the realities of the organic sector as a mechanism for delivering rural development outcomes. This is conducted through the presentation of case study evidence from the dairy sector in Wales, looking at on-farm and supply-chain related economic impacts. The final section of the paper uses the agroecology model as a prism to examine the evolution of the organic movement in the UK and to highlight the variant and distinctive nature of UK organics. This is seen as placing limits on the capacity of the organic sector to act as a generator of rural development impacts. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley &; Sons, Ltd. |
