Vol. 561 No. 3
5 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his policy on providing assistance for conventional farmers in conversion to organic methods; and the progress to date in implementing objectives of the Organic Development Committee report in this regard. [4152/03]
The Department provides attractive financial supports to help farmers to convert from conventional to organic methods. Under the rural environmental protection scheme, farmers in conversion can draw payments of up to €13,280 a year. Once they have reached full organic status and can take advantage of the higher prices commanded by organic produce, they can draw REPS payments of up to €9,680 a year.
Organic farmers and farmers in conversion to organic status can also apply for a grant towards the cost of capital investment. These grants are given for purposes like the modification of animal housing or the purchase of new equipment. The scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic sector offers 40% grant assistance up to a maximum of €50,790 for on-farm projects. Off-farm investment projects are also eligible and grant aid is available up to a maximum of €253,948. The scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic sector offers 40% grant assistance up to a maximum of €50,790 for on-farm projects. Off-farm investment projects are also eligible and grant aid is available up to a maximum of €253,948.
The report of the Organic Development Committee, which was published in April 2002, contained a number of recommendations to develop the organic sector in Ireland. It recommended a number of amendments to the rural environment protection scheme, and these will be considered in the context of the general consultative review of REPS which we initiated before Christmas. The Organic Development Committee also recommended the establishment of a national organic steering group to act as a driving force for the development of the organic sector and a basis for advancing partnership between the organic sector and the other principal essential interests. This group has already met twice and is monitoring the implementation of the other recommendations of the Organic Development Committee.
I believe the implementation of the recommendations of the Organic Development Committee will be of great benefit to existing organic producers, and it will create a stable environment that will encourage conventional farmers to consider the organic option.
In regard to the Organic Development Committee, the Minister signed off on this in 2000, as did Teagasc and the farm organisations. Will the Minister of State agree that one modest expectation of farmers was that training would be provided for those interested in the conversion to organic methods? How can he, therefore, square that expectation with the current scenario where Mellows College, which is the only training facility for farmers currently in conversion, is threatened with closure? I appreciate the existence of Johnstown Castle, but does he recognise it can only provide research and development, and the absence of Mellows College would make a nonsense of the recommendations of the Organic Development Committee? Is he meeting with Teagasc? Is he mindful of the importance of the threat which hangs over Mellows College and will he reverse that threat?
My colleagues and I meet with Teagasc on a regular basis at different levels. I do not know where Deputy Sargent gets his information. I assure him that no decision has been taken by Teagasc on the future of Mellows Agricultural College, Athenry. Obviously they have serious legal and financial responsibilities. They must live within the budget allocated to them, look at their assets and human resource base, the capital they deploy and the different sectors they service within agriculture. This is currently taking place in the organisation, and no decision on either a general basis or individual basis has even been considered by Teagasc vis-à-vis Mellows College, Athenry.
It is important to recognise that we have rapidly pushed forward support for the organic industry. In recent years, farmers have drawn down €30 million in grants for organic development. A national report was published last April and we set up the National Organic Development Committee last December. It has met on two occasions since. It has adhered to the recommendations in the national report and set up the different subordinate bodies to report to it on the development of the sector. I am optimistic about its future.
I am pleased to hear the Minister of State say that there has been no decision. I said there was a threat, and I stand over that, because, as he said, there are budgetary constraints.
A question, Deputy, please?
Notwithstanding the usefulness of grants, if Teagasc proceeds to close Mellows College, which I am sure is one of many options, how does he propose to provide training for the many farmers interested in converting to organic farming, given that we import 80% to 85% of organic produce consumed in this country?
The Minister of State will not have time to reply if the Deputy continues. I call the Minister of State.
It is not my intention to provide training for the organic sector. That is the function of Teagasc, the national agricultural training body. I will give a de facto commitment to this House that training will be provided by Teagasc for the development of the organic sector, for new entrants into the organic sector and for the retraining of those within the sector into the future.
The Minister of State said it was not his responsibility. How can he be sure about the future?
I am confident and optimistic about the future.
I got a reply—
Deputy Timmins will appreciate this was a priority question. The only one entitled to ask a question was Deputy Sargent. I curtailed the Deputy in the interests of time and then Deputy Timmins took over on a question to which he is not entitled.
