Matt Carthy
Question:819. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of his proposals that are to increase participation in organic farming. [27650/22]
View answerTuesday, 31 May 2022
Questions (819)
Written answers
I am excited and enthused by our ambitions to continue to grow the organic sector in Ireland.
The Organic farming scheme which closed for applications in April resulted in the submission of 380 new applicants to the Organic Farming scheme which is almost a 20% increase in application numbers in comparison to 2021. Altogether this means just under 700 new farmers joined the Organic Farming Scheme in the last 12 months.
The scheme will reopen in October 2022 and I am introducing a suite of initiatives and actions over the coming months to maximise further participation in the scheme
The target included in the current Programme for Government is to align the utilisable agricultural area under organic production in Ireland with the EU average of 7.5%. I have secured a budget allocation of €21 million for the Organic Farming Scheme in 2022, an increase of €5 million from the previous year. This allocation supports the 1,734 existing contracts in the Organic Farming Scheme and the eligible applications received earlier this year.
The organic sector in Ireland is experiencing considerable growth at present with the area of land under organic production now at approximately 110,000 hectares taking into account applications received in the most recent reopening of the scheme.
I have introduced changes to the scheme this year by reducing the required stocking rate and also by increasing the area paid at the higher rate from 60 hectares to 70 hectares, measures which I believe will encourage new entrants to organic farming. These have already had a positive effect.
In 2021, an additional 12,000 hectares were farmed organically and it is expected that this will increase by a further 17,000 ha taking into consideration those that applied to join the scheme this year. These 29,000 new hectares mean a 35% increase in land farmed organically in the last two years.
I am committed to continuing the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with the market opportunities.
For the years 2023 – 2027, I have proposed the allocation of €256 million under the new CAP Strategic Plan to continue the development and growth of the organic sector.
I have also provided funding to the Agricultural Consultants Association to increase advisory support in the sector. Teagasc are also committed to continuing their support of Organic Farming through their Advisory Service which will ensure farmers have access to professional advice to aid in the important decision making process.
A number of Organic Farm Demonstration events, which are organised by Teagasc and funded by my Department are taking place in 2022. These events promote best practice in organic farming and allow farmers to make an informed decision on the future direction of their farming enterprise.
I have also established a new Organic Strategy forum which has met twice so far in 2022 and the theme of the most recent meeting was “Driving participation in Organic Farming”. Following this meeting, a road map of activities in advance of the scheme reopening in late 2022 is currently being developed to promote the pathways to organic farming.
The Department is also undertaking a trade mission to Germany in July 2022 to coincide with Biofach, the largest organic trade fair in Europe.
I believe the measures we have taken and our planned events will all contribute to an increase in organic farming participation and I look forward to working with all stakeholders as the sector develops, in the coming years.