Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 October 2022
288. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of hectares under or in conversion to organic production for the years 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the number targeted until 2030 by year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52141/22]
View answerThe current Programme for Government has set an ambitious target to achieve 7.5% of the utilisable agricultural area under organic production, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Food Vision 2030.
I am encouraged by the strong uptake in the Organic Farming Scheme over the last two years which will assist in achieving our target of 7.5% land cover under organic production.
Under the new CAP, for the years 2023-2027, I have secured a budget of €256m for the organic sector with the aim of building upon this growth and developing the sector further. This allocation will facilitate enhanced payment rates, including the introduction of a participation payment for farmers, to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming.
In order to attain the land area target of 7.5%, appoximately 50,000 new hectares will be required every year during the lifetime of the CAP and I am confident that we can achieve this target. The years to 2030 after the lifetime of the current CSP will be a matter for a future programme.
