New Group Strengthens Farm Stock - December 2009

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Caledonian Organics, the largest organic livestock co-operative in Scotland, has decided to become the sixth shareholder in Farm Stock (Scotland) Ltd with effect from December 1st 2009. Like the other member groups of Farm Stock, Caledonian Organics will retain its individual identity and Limited Company status, and will have the right to appoint two Directors to the Farm Stock Board.

Caledonian Organics was originally launched 2005 with the objective of uniting the organic sector and coordinating the marketing of organic lamb and beef prime stock. In addition it aimed to provide a service to its members for organic cull stock and also to communicate the availability of store stock within its membership. The group currently has 162 members and in its last financial year it handled over 17,000 lambs and around 1,400 cattle.

With the clear objective of furthering the organic movement and creating a more organised and united supply chain, it was felt from the outset that Caledonian Organics would be better aligned with other UK organic groups and formed a strong alliance with Graig Producers in Wales but as time progressed it became clear that the membership would be better served by forming closer links with other organic producers within Scotland. To this end, after several months of discussions with Farm Stock, the directors of Caledonian Organics believe that it is in the long term interests of their members to become a full member of the Farm Stock group.

The Board of Farm Stock also believe that this is a very positive move for the group. In the immediate short term it will bring much needed volume which when added to the numbers of organic stock currently handled within the group will create the largest organic marketing group in Scotland and possibly even in the UK, with the obvious benefit of strengthening our negotiating power with organic outlets. Longer term it adds a significant number of new members to the group which once again can only strengthen Farm Stock’s position in the marketplace.

We at Farm Stock give a warm welcome to Caledonian Organics and its members and look forward to a long and close association to the benefit of both parties.