Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
846. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of participants in the organic farming scheme; the total and average payment, by year and farm system, from 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15906/22]
View answerAt present there are 1,734 participants in the Organic Farming Scheme. The table below outlines the average payment by year and farm system from 2019 to date. The total expenditure figure in 2022 to date represents payments due in respect of the 2021 scheme year.
|
Year |
Total Payment |
Average Payment |
|
2019 |
€9.3m |
€6,078 |
|
2020 |
€8.4m |
€5,490 |
|
2021 |
€7.8m |
€5,247 |
|
2022 |
€1.3m |
€5,247 |
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. My Department is continuing to progress the actions outlined in the 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.
To assist in achieving these targets I have secured a budget allocation of €21 million for the Organic Farming Scheme for 2022, an increase of €5 million from the previous year. The scheme is now open for new applicants.
Additionally under the new CAP Strategic Plan, I have also proposed the allocation of €256 million for the Organic Farming Scheme. This level of funding will allow for enhanced payments to organic farmers across all sectors, which will further support maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming and assist in achieving our target of 7.5% of land cover under organic production by 2027.
