Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
2115. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares of organic farming land that are expected to be in place by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40962/22]
View answerThe current Programme for Government has included a target of 7.5% of the utilisable agricultural area under organic production in Ireland, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030.
All our organic policies are designed to achieve this ambitious goal. I will continue to progress the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out highly attainable growth targets in line with the market opportunities.
Over the last two years we have seen considerable growth in the organic sector. In 2021, the Organic Farming Scheme re-opened bringing in approximately 12,000 hectares of additional land under organic production.
For 2022, I have secured a budget of €21 million for the Organic Farming Scheme, a €5 million increase from the previous year. I have also introduced changes to the scheme by reducing the required stocking rate and increasing the area paid at the higher rate from 60 hectares to 70 hectares. These measures have had a positive effect as we saw a 20% increase in applications received this year.
The 380 applications received are currently being processed which is anticipated to include an additional 17,000 hectares of land under organic production, bringing the total area under organic production in the country to approximately 110,000 hectares.
For the years 2023 – 2027, I have proposed an indicative allocation of €256 million under the new CAP to continue the development and growth of the organic sector. This allocation will facilitate enhanced payment rates for organic farmers to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming. To help attain the land area target of 7.5%, my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett recently announced proposed new increased payment rates for organic farmers as outlined in the table below.
|
Year 1-2 1-70ha €/ha |
Year 1-2 >70ha €/ha |
Year 3-5 1-70ha €/ha |
Year 3-5 70ha €/ha |
|
|
Drystock |
300 |
60 |
250 |
30 |
|
Tillage |
320 |
60 |
270 |
30 |
|
Dairy |
350 |
60 |
300 |
30 |
|
Horticulture |
800 |
60 |
600 |
30 |
I am confident our targets for organic conversion will be achieved, while supports up to 2030 will be a matter for a future CAP programme.
