Tributes paid to organic farming campaigner Lord Peter Melchett

Tributes are being paid to organic farming campaigner and Soil Association policy director Lord Peter Melchett, who has died aged 71.

The Norfolk farmer and Labour peer – who served as a minister in the Wilson and Callaghan governments during the 1970s – was a veteran activist.

See also: Tap into demand for ‘quality’, says Peter Melchett

After leaving politics, he was appointed to the board of Greenpeace UK in 1985, becoming its executive director in 1989.

A vociferous opponent of genetic modification, Lord Melchett was arrested in 1999 when he was among 28 protestors who cut down and removed a GM crop trial in Norfolk.

He spent two nights in custody before being released on bail. All 28 protestors were acquitted of theft and criminal damage when the case came to court in 2000.

Policy director at the Soil Association since 2002, Lord Melchett led numerous campaigns while also being managing director of his family’s 360ha farm at Ringstead, near Hunstanton in Norfolk.

These included successfully lobbying for government support for organic farmers – and the association’s ongoing campaign against glyphosate.

The Soil Association said he was a true campaigner who would be widely missed.

Thanks, @vickihird for your kind words, Peter was a champion of the environment and organic movement and a true campaigner all his days. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

— Soil Association (@SoilAssociation) August 31, 2018

Fellow environmentalist and former Friends of the Earth director Jonathan Porrit was among those to pay tribute on social media.

Heard earlier today of the death of Peter Melchett – feeling so sad. Peter was a consummate campaigner (at Greenpeace and Soil Association), a wise and compassionate advocate for everything that really matters,and a true friend.

— Jonathon Porritt (@jonathonporritt) August 30, 2018

MP Zac Goldsmith said Lord Melchett would be hugely missed.

Very sad to hear about the death of Peter Melchett. He was a brave, brilliant and committed environmental campaigner, and a good friend. He will be hugely missed.

— Zac Goldsmith (@ZacGoldsmith) August 30, 2018

Green MEP Molly Scott Cato, who is a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, described Lord Melchett as a tireless campaigner.

“His work with the Soil Association helped establish its international reputation as the leading body on organic farming principles.

“By pushing for the highest possible standards of animal welfare and environmental and wildlife protection his life’s work will stand the test of time.”