Vol. 465 No. 1
201 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the current position regarding the Organic Research Farm at Johnstown Castle, County Wexford, particularly the EUfunded advanced ecological farming project which is midway through its five year lifespan; and if he will make a statement on the status of this project and the organic unit generally. [9227/96]
My Department made a financial contribution towards the capital costs involved in the establishment of the organic farming unit at Johnstown Castle, County Wexford in 1990. The operation of the unit is a day to day matter for Teagasc. The EU funded project referred to by the Deputy is the subject of a direct contract between the EU and Teagasc under the AIR (Agriculture and Agro-Industry including Fisheries Programme of Research and Technical Development) Programme. I understand from Teagasc that the organic unit at Johnstown Castle will continue to be operated to organic standards and that essential technical information will continue to be assembled.
