Brendan Howlin
Ceist:16 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will consider providing special grants to encourage the promotion of organic farming.
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:50 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has received a submission from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association; the steps he intends to take to encourage this type of farming, in light of the increasing demand for organically grown products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:53 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps he is taking to encourage and enhance the organic horticulture and livestock sector; the grants, subsidies and programmes he will introduce to encourage conventional farmers to convert to organic farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 50 and 53 together.
I have received a copy of a discussion paper outlining the present status and potential of organic production in Ireland from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.
As the Deputies are aware, it was indicated in the Budget Statement that a unit was being set up in my Department to promote the development of all aspects of organic farming. The unit has an overall co-ordinating role and will help to promote the production and marketing of organic products. It will also assess the opportunities for expansion in the sector and will liaise with the EC Commission and other relevant organisations. I have asked the unit to consider in particular how all existing and envisaged schemes of my Department, especially those of a structural nature, could be adapted to facilitate organic production. A budget provision of £450,000 was made in 1990 to cover the expenses of the new unit and to enable funds to be made available for the promotion and development of organic farming.
Funds have now been made available from this provision to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, to University College Dublin for the establishment of an organic farming course and to Teagasc for the establishment of an organic research and development programme. Other applications for grant aid are at present being considered by the organic farming unit.
Research and investigation work is also being carried out by Teagasc to establish suitable organic techniques for crop and animal production. In addition, in its current research, the concept of reducing the use of pesticides by better timing and efficient placement and by the alternative development of biological controls is being investigated.
A proposal for an EC regulation to establish a harmonised framework throughout the EC for the labelling, production and inspection of agricultural products and foodstuffs carrying indications which refer to organic production methods is currently being examined by a Council working group. We are endeavouring to have the proposal adopted during our Presidency.
An Bord Glas set up a working group last year to examine and report on the organic fruit and vegetable sector. This group is expected to report back to the board in the near future.