Trevor Sargent
Question:103 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food when he will introduce targets to grow the organic sector. [20986/02]
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
I am currently considering the report of the Organic Development Committee which was established, on foot of a recommendation in the Agri-Food 2010 report, to prepare a coherent strategy for the development of the organic sector. In its report, the committee stated that a target of 3% of land area in organic farming by 2006 was feasible. The report sets out a comprehensive series of actions, to be carried out by a wide range of stakeholders that will help to underpin achievement of the growth target of 3%.
One of the recommendations in the report of the Organic Development Committee is that a census of organic farming should be taken at intervals and the first such census should be carried out in 2002. It recommended that on completion of this initial census, the results should be analysed to see whether targets could be set for the development of individual areas within the organic sector. I have asked my officials to begin this census shortly.