Trevor Sargent
Question:120 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the additional measures, if any, he is considering introducing under the REP scheme or otherwise to promote organic farming. [5482/00]
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
Proposals for a new rural environmental protection scheme have been submitted to the European Commission as part of a draft rural development plan for the period 2000-2006. It is closely modelled on the existing scheme, and envisages continued support for organic farming under supplementary measure six. The objective of this measure is to encourage producers in REPS to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.
In the national development plan, £6 million has been provided under the regional programmes to cater for the development of the organic sector. Proposals are being drafted for the organic sector which will be included in the programmes for the Border, midland and western region and southern and eastern region. The details will be submitted to the European Commission shortly.