OR5: Organic conversion - top fruit

What is OR5?

OR5 is an action under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme. It pays £1,920 per year for organic conversion - top fruit.

What do I need to do?

Protect all trees from damage, including by animals.

For newly planted trees, maintain a 1m diameter vegetation-free circle around the base.

* Follow Organic standards as agreed in the conversion plan.

* Ensure all land completes conversion and is registered as fully organic before the agreement ends.

What evidence do I need?

Where there is uncertainty about whether the aims of the options have been delivered, we will take into account any records or evidence you may have kept demonstrating delivery of the aims of the option. This will include any steps you’ve taken to follow the recommended management set out above. It’s your responsibility to keep such records if you want to rely on these to support your claim.

A conversion map showing the planting spacing and species within the orchard – you can mark this on any map including the Farm Environment Record (FER)

Copies of fruit sale receipts to show that the orchards are in commercial production and not used for the production of alcoholic drinks

Either a copy of the conversion plan agreed with the organic control body or, if not available, a fully completed viability plan

Photographs of the trees entered into this option

How much does OR5 pay?

OR5 pays £1,920 per year.

Which land is eligible?

It is available for Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier and Higher Tier on whole parcels on: land registered as ‘in conversion’ with a Defra-licensed organic control body parcels that are managed primarily for the production of top fruit (such as apples, pears and plums) and permanent bush crops (such as gooseberries and redcurrants) orchards fully stocked at the appropriate spacing for the species and variety of fruit tree or bush On parcels that you have previously registered with an orga

SFI OR5: Organic conversion - top fruit