Organic beef farmers across the UK pay money each year to retain their organic beef certification, a standard which is enforced and approved by various bodies. Certification must come from a Defra approved organic control body, such as the Soil Association, the Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) or the Biodynamic Association.
The price of the certification a farmer chooses varies by the body they choose to approve their farming practices and standards. For example the Soil Association application fee is currently set at £520 for 2025-2026 for farming and growing food. Annual certification is based on the size of a farmers land and is £499 per year for 0.02 hectars – 5 hectares. For larger farms between 10.01 hectares – 50 hectares the fee increases to £767 per year. The very largest farms looking for organic certification (200 hectares and above) pay around £1,1,71 per year.
The associated food business fees for processors are slightly higher with an initial application fee of £1,070 a year and an annual renewal rate for businesses conducting sales equal to or less than £282,322 is £1,070. In the context of organic beef UK rates, a processor can be defined as any business that changes, repacks or simply handles an organic product after it intially leaves the farm. For example, A butcher making organic sausages or burgers from certified organic beef.
- A dairy company that creates cheeses or yoghurts with organic milk
- A company that produces organic ready meals from organic ingredients
- A bakery that uses organic flour within their cakes, pastries and breads.
- A chocolate brand that blends organic cocoa with milk and sugar to create its goods.
Organic Grass Fed Beef
Some UK farms produce meat that is both organic and 100% grass fed throughout the animal’s lifetime. The Pasture For Life Scheme guarantees organic grass fed beef has had a 100% grass fed diet, whereas other grass fed logos and claims are not guaranteed. Typical organic diets for cows are wholly organic but not necessarily grass fed. For example, at least 60% of the animals diet comes from hay, silage and grass, but it is not necessary or enforced that the animals diet is 100% grass fed and finished.
Organic Grass Fed Beef Near Me
Organic beef farms utilise regenerative farming methods and are truly passionate about the quality and welfare of their animals. Organic farms are often much smaller than conventional farms and may not have the necessary infrastructure to package up and sell their organic grass fed beef. The best way to find organic beef near me is to check our interactive guide below.
Rspca Assured Beef
RSPCA Assured farms must generally provide more enrichment and space for animals, when compared to conventional farms operating to minimum legal standards. The transport and handling of animals must be deemed to be humane and painful mutilations must be strictly avoided unless absolutely necessary. When the animal is slaughtered RSPCA assured brands must also meet welfare standards.
RSPCA Assured farms are not required to feed their animals on organic or grass fed diets and the standard is mainly concerned purely with the ethical treatment of animals rather than their diet and medication interventions.
