Vol. 521 No. 6
16 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he accepts that the demand for organic produce outstrips supply; the percentage of the market which is currently supplied by organic products; and if steps are being taken to exploit the obvious niche for organic products. [17439/00]
Most official agricultural and trade statistics do not separate organic products from conventional agricultural products, and consequently the available data on the production and consumption of organic products are limited. However, it is currently estimated that organic food products represent just under 1% of the total food sales in Ireland. There is some evidence that demand for organic food is increasing. Organic production is essentially market-driven and I am satisfied that the level of demand is such as to ensure the continuing growth of organic farming.
The development of the organic sector is being promoted both directly by my Department and by bodies under the Department's aegis. My Department is providing financial support for the sector through the national development plan and through the rural development plan for the period 2000-06 which is being considered by the European Commission at present. The rural development plan includes proposals for a new rural environmental protection scheme, and these proposals include continuing support for REPS participants who opt to enter organic farming. In addition, the Government has made a provision of £6 million in the national development plan for the development of the organic sector under the regional programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the south and east region.
I have accepted the recommendation of the Agri-Food 2010 Committee for the establishment of an organic development committee and arrangements are in hand to establish the committee at an early date.
