Trevor Sargent
Question:236 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the amount of the £2 million investment in commercial horticulture which has been sought by or granted to registered organic growers. [25283/01]
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
Commercial horticulture producers including organic growers are eligible to be considered for grant-aid under the scheme of investment aid for the development of the commercial horticulture sector under the regional operational programmes 2000-2006. Organic and other growers are treated equally under the scheme and consequently records of the number of registered organic growers who apply or are grant aided are not maintained. The rate of grant aid is 35% on approved investments.
In addition, my Department provides grant aid of 40% under the scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic sector. This scheme, which was introduced earlier this year, provides grant assistance in respect of investments in equipment and facilities for the production, grading, packing and storage of organic products.