THE work of the Organic Milk Co-operative (OMSCo) was the focus of a visit by Central Devon MP Mel Stride to an organic farm in Monkokehampton recently.

Mr Stride paid a visit to Burrow Farm to meet farmers Graham and Rosemary Ward and chat about the co-operative and its aspiration to grow its business.

As a member of OMSCo, the farm is part of the largest and longest esablished organic milk supplier in the UK.

With a total milk pool of 275 million litres per year, OMSCo supplies two-thirds of the UK's entire organic milk output and is currently the UK's leading organic dairy exporter. This makes it one of the largest organic businesses in the UK and the second largest organic milk pool in Europe.

Speaking after Mr Stride's visit Mr Ward said: 'Understanding where our food comes from and how we produce it with respect for the environment and our animals is at the heart of our values and increasing numbers of people are choosing to buy organic milk.

'It was good to discuss the Co-operative's future business plans with Mel and explain more broadly about the benefits of organic farming.'

Mr Stride said: 'It was very good to spend time with Graham and discuss how OMSCo are planning to expand.

'I was also impressed with the level of community involvement at the farm, with various farm-based education activities available for school children, who can learn first-hand about the countryside, livestock and organic farming.'

Dairy farmers considering organic conversion can contact the OMSCo office on 01934 511115 or email [email protected]">[email protected]