Assessing the risk of non-compliance in UK organic agriculture: An econometric analysis
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of the risk factors influencing non-compliance in UK organic farming.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a formal econometric model of risk analysis to provide empirical evidence on the determinants of non-compliance in organic farming. A panel of data from the archives of the largest control body in the UK for 2007-2009 is used, and specific analyses are performed for two types of non-compliances. A zero inflated count data model is used for the estimation, taking into account the fact that the occurrences of non-compliance are very sparse.
Findings
Results show the existence of strong co-dependence of non-compliant behaviours (i.e. the occurrence of major and critical non-compliance increases the probability of occurrence of the minor one; similarly the probability of occurrence of major non-compliance increases when minor non-compliance occur). Besides, livestock production and farm size are relevant risk factors.
Research limitations/implications
Albeit highly representative, the findings are based on Soil Association data only and not on all UK organic farms.
Practical implications
The paper provides practical indications for control bodies, concerning aspects that could be strengthened for more efficient risk-based inspections. The paper advocates the use of financial information like turnover or capital stock, and of data concerning the characteristics of the farmers, that could substantially improve the probability of detecting the most severe non-compliances.
Social implications
Certification is essential for organic farming, and an improvement of inspection procedures through a risk-based approach could add efficiency and effectiveness to the whole organic food system, with obvious advantages for consumers and the society as a whole.
Originality/value
This paper provides for the first time empirical evidence concerning the implementation of the organic certification system in the UK.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This publication originates from the research made in the CERTCOST Project, Agreement No. 207727 (www.certcost.org), with financial support from the European Community under the 7th Framework Programme. The authors also acknowledge the support of the Soil Association Certification staff in extracting data from their archives and providing further explanations. The publication reflects the views of the author(s) and not those of the European Community, which is not to be held liable for any use that may be made of the information contained. The paper is based on Authors’ joint effort. However, D. Gambelli wrote Section 4, S. Padel wrote Section 2, F. Solfanelli wrote Section 3, R. Zanoli wrote Section 5. The remaining sections were written in common.
Citation
Zanoli, R., Gambelli, D., Solfanelli, F. and Padel, S. (2014), "Assessing the risk of non-compliance in UK organic agriculture: An econometric analysis", British Food Journal, Vol. 116 No. 8, pp. 1369-1382. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-10-2012-0262
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited