Darren O'Rourke
Question:42. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his target for organic conversion for 2025, 2027 and 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60842/21]
View answerThursday, 9 December 2021
Questions (42)
Written answers
The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030. This is my commitment as Minister with responsibility for the area and all of our organic policies are designed to achieving this very ambitious goal.
In parallel, my Department continues to implement the actions outlined in the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 to develop the organic sector in Ireland. This sets out ambitious growth targets in line with the market opportunities that exist in the sector and there are a number of actions in there for all stakeholders including agencies under my Department.
As an example of my commitment, I have also secured an increase in budget allocation for the Organic Farming Scheme in 2022 from €16 million to €21 million. This would facilitate an additional fifty thousand hectares of land under conversion. This would represent an increase of over 50% in the area currently farmed organically.
Furthermore, I have also proposed the allocation of €256 under the next CAP for the organic farming scheme. The Department is continuing to develop the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 based on this level of funding. The proposed enhanced payments to organic farmers will further support maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming. To attain the 7.5% land cover target will require an additional 80,000 new hectares every year during the lifetime of the CAP. These are our targets for organic conversion in the years in 2025 and 2027. I would hope that this momentum would carry through to 2030 and supports for that year will be a matter for a future CAP programme period.
Funding will also be provided in the coming years for additional supports for organic farmers such as the Organic Capital Investment Scheme, the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme, Organic Demonstration Farm Programme and other training and educational projects.
I am committed to the growth and development of the organic farming sector in Ireland and I believe that the funds available will assist in achieving our targets over the next CAP period and beyond.