OFM6: Organic land management – top fruit

The following changes have been made to this action for SFI26 (compared with the SFI24 version):

• you enter the parcel's whole available area, and that area is measured as it stands when you apply
• minor updates to standard wording which appears in all area-based SFI actions

This action’s aim is that orchards which produce top fruit and permanent bush crops are maintained under organic management.

The purpose of this is to:

• improve soil health
• increase biodiversity
• improve water quality

What you must do

You must:

• comply with the organic standards required by your Defra-licensed organic control body on land entered into this action
• protect the trees from grazing livestock and pests, such as deer and rabbits, to prevent serious damage
• manage weeds and vegetation around the base of establishing trees

When to do it

You must do this action from its start date, throughout each year of its 3-year duration.

Evidence to keep

You must keep a valid organic certificate and schedule for all land entered into this action – this must cover at least the full period of this action’s duration

You must also keep other evidence to show what you’ve done to complete this action, such as:

• field operations at a land parcel level and associated invoices
• copies of sales receipts for fruit crops
• photographs and other documentation

You must supply this evidence if we ask for it.