Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 3

Written Answers. - Organic Farming.

Hugh Byrne

Ceist:

203 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether the £1 million promised under the operational programme for organic farming has since been deployed as promised further to reported statements (details supplied) by the Minister of State at his Department; whether the consultative committee promised by the Minister of State at his Department has been so established; if so, its membership; the dates of its meetings; and the agenda of such meetings; whether a major conference promised by the Minister of State at his Department in November 1996 will go ahead; if so, the dates, venue and agendas for such a meeting; if he will give details of expenditure to date in this regard in view of the fact that the Minister of State at his Department stated that available moneys would be mainly spent on marketing; if he will give details of projected expenditure in relation to organic farming by his Department or by agencies under the aegis of his Department since the statement of the Minister of State at his Department was reported on 19 July 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17169/96]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. Yates)

The £1 million referred to by the Deputy is an indicative amount provided for the development of the organic farming sector under the operational programme for agriculture, rural development and forestry, 1994-99, OPARDF. The scheme of grant aid for the development of the organic farming sector under the OPARDF provides for grant assistance under two distinct headings as follows: aid is available to recognised bodies for marketing and promotion in support of organic farming, and aid is available to individuals, groups, companies or cooperatives for the provision of facilities for grading, storing, packing and distribution of organic produce.

In the 15 grant approvals issued to date aid has been provided under both headings. Four of the grant approvals were in respect of marketing and promotion with the remaining 11 in the area of capital investments. I anticipate that practically all of the £134,000 provided in the 1996 Vote will be drawn down by the successful applicants before the end of 1996.

My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, who has operational responsibility for the organic sector in my Department, recently met various organic interests. At this meeting the Minister of State outlined his plans for the establishment of an organic consultative committee to advise him on the sector and how it can best be progressed. The committee's first meeting is scheduled to take place on 9 October 1996. The membership of the committee will include representation from my Department, Teagasc, the approved private organic inspection bodies, farming organisations, An Bord Bia, An Bord Glas, SFADCo and other bodies or individuals the Minister of State feels can make a worthwhile contribution in this regard. The terms of reference of the committee will be finalised at this first meeting.

The Minister of State indicated his intention to hold an organic symposium. While first envisaged for November 1996, it now appears more likely that this symposium will take place in early 1997. Details will be finalised following the October meeting of the organic consultative committee.

In addition to the incentives available under the OPARDF, my Department provides attractive financial incentives to farmers who join the rural environmental protection scheme and farm organically in accordance with an agri-environmental plan for a period of five years. The payments in this context are in addition to basic REPS payment.

Expenditure by agencies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the agencies themselves. My Department has, however, approved three private organic inspection bodies to carry out inspection and certification work under Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91, as amended, which governs the organic production of crops and crop products. My Department makes a financial contribution to the approved bodies towards the cost of inspections carried out under this regulation. An amount of £10,000 has been provided in the 1996 Estimate for this purpose. The Deputy may be assured that my Department will offer every possible aasistance towards the development of this expanding sector.