Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
2029. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of tonnes of organic lamb and organic beef, respectively that were produced in Ireland in each of the years 2008 to 2021, in tabular form; the markets that consumed the total tonnage produced for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2561/22]
View answerSpecific information on the production volumes for both organic beef and lamb are not routinely collected, as the data is included in the overall production figures for both species. Estimates are outlined in the tables below*. These production estimations are not a guarantee of end market.
Specific information on the export destination for Organic beef and lamb is also difficult to quantify given that CSO data does not categorise product as organic.
Currently the largest proportion of organic lamb produced in Ireland is destined for the German market with the balance going to the domestic market.
From consultation with the two major organic beef processors, they have confirmed that a significant proportion of the organic beef they process is destined for customers on the domestic market with all of the major retailers in the Irish market listing organic beef in some capacity. Irish organic beef is also exported to Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands and the Nordics however the exact volumes exported are not currently available.
The next CAP provides for a significant increase in funding for the Organic Farming Scheme to over €250 million and will lead to greater area and production of organic product in Ireland.
*Organic lamb production (estimations) and *Organic beef production (estimations)
