14 December 2000

Dear Organic Targets Bill Supporter

Unique opportunity to introduce the Organic Targets Bill to Parliament

Today 20 MPs names were picked in a Ballot.  They have been given the chance of choosing a Bill to bring to Parliament.  The MPs have a very short time to make their decision. Please pen a couple of quick letters as below and encourage them to adopt the Organic Targets Bill. The Bill was introduced to Parliament last year, but unfortunately ran out of time. This is our chance to get the Bill, supported by over 250 MPs last year, back into Parliament.

The main aims of the Bill are to:

? Create a strategy for organic farming;

? Ensure that 30% of land in England and Wales is organic by 2010.

Action - penning a few simple letters

Please write a letter to:

1. Richard Burden (Lab, Birmingham Northfield), has not signed EDM 51 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.),

2. Gwyneth Dunwoody (Lab, Crewe and Nantwich), has not signed EDM 51 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.),

3. Dr Ian Gibson (Lab, Norwich North), has signed EDM 51 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

at The House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.  Each letter needs to be in a separate envelope with a stamp.  Alternatively send them an email using  the above addresses, putting The Organic Targets Bill in the subject box.

Letters can be as simple as:  "Congratulations on your success in the Ballot.  Please adopt the Organic Targets Bill as your Private Members Bill."

Or if you wish you can add another sentence or two. Suggested arguments  are: ? The Bill is desperately needed as there is huge demand for organic food but organic farming is under-funded and the UK currently imports 70% of  the organic food sold here.

? Wildlife on farms and in our gardens is disappearing. Organic farming  can help reverse the decline in birds, and other species.

? Organic farming can create jobs in the countryside. There are many  people out of work in this area who could benefit from more organic food production.

? I want to be able to buy more locally produced organic food and this  Bill would help to make local organic food available and affordable.

? Other countries such as Austria have put in place a strategy for organic farming, and have built successful organic markets in their countries. The UK should do the same.

Letters are best sent in the next couple of days, as some MPs make their choice promptly.

Thank you very much for your continued support.

Yours sincerely Organic Targets Bill Steering Group

Catherine Fookes Organic Targets Bill Co-ordinator Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming 94 White Lion Street London N1 9PF Tel office: 020 7837 1228 (Tues & Weds) Tel home: 01600 869 084 (Mon) Tel Mobile: 07979 534050