Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2016
275. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has considered proposals to give special status to the horticulture sector in order to encourage the development of this vital sector of agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20320/16]
View answerThere are no proposals at present to give special status to the horticulture sector, however the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine implements two schemes that specifically facilitate development of Ireland’s horticulture sector.
The nationally funded Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector provides grant aid at a rate of 40% (50% in the case of young applicant’s under 35 years of age) on approved costs associated with investment in a broad range of specialised horticultural equipment and buildings that contribute to at least one of the Scheme’s objectives of facilitating environmentally friendly practices, promoting the diversification of on-farm activities, improving the quality of products or improving working conditions in the sector. Earlier this year the Minister of State with special responsibility for horticulture, Andrew Doyle, T.D. issued approvals to 154 applicants with a total value of €5.4m under the 2016 Round of the Scheme. This will facilitate grower investment costing approximately €13.5m over the coming months.
The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme provides aid to encourage producers of fruit and vegetables to set up an organisation to jointly market their production in order to strengthen the producer’s position in the marketplace. The Scheme also aims to increase market orientation among EU growers, encourage innovation, promote fruit and vegetables, increase grower’s competitiveness and improve marketing, product quality and the environmental aspects of production.
A fruit or vegetable Producer Organisation may claim 50% EU aid on approved actions implemented through their Operational Programme up to a ceiling of 4.1% of their Value of Marketed Production, which is essentially their turnover.
There are currently two recognised horticultural Producer Organisations in Ireland. In line with the recommendation set down in FoodWise 2025 the Department’s policy is to encourage grower participation in horticultural Producer Organisations.
