Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:50 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on the recommendations of the Organic Development Committee. [14052/03]
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
The Government recognises the potential of the organic sector, and the programme for Government includes a commitment to its further development through increased production and the development of a single national label for Irish organic produce. The recommendations of the Organic Development Committee are seen as furthering achievement of the Governments objectives for the organic sector. The recommendations are supported in my Departments action plan launched last December.
A number of the committees recommendations have already been implemented. These include the establishment of a national steering group for the organic sector. This group includes representatives of the wide range of stakeholders who worked successfully together to produce the report of the Organic Development Committee itself.
As the report of the Organic Development Committee made specific recommendations in the areas of training, research, education and market development, the establishment of two additional working groups was considered essential. These groups, the organic market development group and the partnership expert working group, are also up and running, and are being chaired by Bord Bia and Teagasc respectively.
A number of the recommendations in the report lie directly within the remit of my Department. Areas that progress has already been made on include the development of a website and the taking of a national census of organic production. The website will be incorporated in the newly-designed Department site, which is due to be launched next month. In relation to the census, my officials are currently engaged in following up outstanding returns, and should be in a position to produce the results of the survey in July.
A sub-group of the organic market development group is looking at the issue of a National Label and will report its findings in due course.