Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the target number of new participants for the organic farming scheme in 2022; when the scheme will reopen; if he if is proposing to reform the scheme in any manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52427/21]
View answerI am committed to increasing the area of land farmed organically in Ireland and am delighted to have secured a significant increase in the budget for organic farming for 2022.
Funding for the Organic Farming Scheme has been increased to €21 million, up from €16 million last year, with a further €2 million for further organic sector development measures.
This increase is most welcome and addresses the growing demand from both farmers and consumers for this type of production. It effectively doubles the funding for organics since I took office less than two years ago.
As the Deputy will be aware, the current Programme for Government contains a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of approximately 7.5%.
The additional funding to be allocated to the opening of the OFS in 2022 could provide for an additional 50,000 hectares converting to organic production in 2022.
While it is possible to provide the estimated number of hectares that can be funded, the number of farmers expected to participate in the scheme will obviously depend on the size of the farms that will be the subject of the applications in 2022.
I am encouraging all farmers from all sectors to join, and my Department and the relevant agencies and advisory bodies will be working with them before the opening of the scheme in early 2022.
It is not my intention to amend the Organic Farming Scheme for 2022 but consideration is currently being given to the measures that will be supported under the new CAP Strategic Plan that will continue to develop the organic sector in Ireland.
