Wales is falling behind in nature-friendly and organic farming practices while Scotland is ‘trailblazing”, says The Soil Association.

It says that new Defra organic farmland statistics expose missed opportunities in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland to capitalise on growing demand, with a third of shoppers saying that sustainability is a key factor for them.

But it says organic farming in Scotland has seen steady growth for six years, with fully organic land increasing by 11.8% in 2023.

It is calling for a “radical rethink” if organic is to reach its full potential and bring UK organic farming into the mainstream.