Disciples of organic food have won recognition. No longer are the so-called Roman sandalled, lentil soup sippers classified in the same category as the Flat Earth Society and those who think England has a world class cricket team. As the healthy ­ or should it be safe? ­ eating gospel is preached with vigour, organics' status as an expanding area for consumer spending has become apparent. The trend has been defined for some time although it has probably been given added impetus by the scare headlines about genetically modified food. However the interest surrounding the organic fruit and veg sector is illustrated this week by an ironic comment from Safeway which has plugged the UK cause since the early 'eighties: "Only 2% of the fruit and veg trade is organic, yet nowadays it accounts for 80% of our telephone enquiries." Although the business has left the gimmick stage and moved into wine, cheese, tea, coffee and even organic soya milk, multiples are often forced to import expensive fresh produce as home suppliers fail to meet a growing demand. The limited number of organic farmers, often with tiny acreage, find profitable expansion impossible as, despite years of pleading with Whitehall and Brussels, they still do not receive the cash backing enjoyed by their conventional counterparts across the shires. Ironically, organic agriculture has taken off in Denmark and Germany as respective governments have supported their farmers with meaningful "kickstart" subsidies to cover losses during the two-year production conversion period. Despite our retailers' continued commitment to increased choice, consistency and continuity of supply through stronger partnerships with the farmers, demand for organics remains far in excess of their ability to supply from UK sources. It is curious that the many industry lobbies of the past decade have not found the political will for support. Are there sufficient votes among those choosing a healthy option to make the Government act ­ albeit belatedly? {{NEWS}}