Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
835. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the increases, if any, that he intends to make to the payment rates per-hectare to participants of the organic farming scheme in each year 2022 to 2027 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28089/22]
View answer836. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific improvements that he further intends to make to improve farmer participation in the organic farming scheme when it next reopens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28090/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 835 and 836 together.
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 we are 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%. A budget of €21 million was allocated to 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.
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. Based on this level of funding, it is my intention to introduce enhanced payments to organic farmers to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming.
We are currently awaiting approval from the Commission on the proposed enhanced payment rates, and I can confirm that participants in the current Organic Farming Scheme, will receive the higher rates of payment subject to their approval by the Commission.
We 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.
