Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the percentage of land which is currently farmed organically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13822/00]
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
The percentage of land which is currently farmed organically in Ireland is 0.7% of the total land area which represents 30,500 hectares. There are currently 18,500 hectares under full organic status with almost 12,000 hectares undergoing conversion to organic symbol status. Some 1,000 farmers are registered with my Department as organic farmers.
The growth of organic farming in Ireland is facilitated by supplementary measure 6 of the rural environment protection scheme which provides specifically for conversion and maintenance of organic practices. Farmers wishing to change to organic farming must undergo a conversion period of two years before they are allowed to sell under an organic label. During this period they have to farm in accordance with the organic standards. In general, during the conversion period, they are getting lower yields without benefiting from premium prices for their output. In order to compensate this loss, extra financial support is available under the rural environment protection scheme during the transitional period. A lesser rate of payment is then available once they have achieved full organic status and can sell under an organic label.
Proposals for a new rural environmental protection scheme are included in my Department's draft rural development plan for the period 2000-2006 which was submitted to the EU Commission in December. These include continued support for organic farming on the same basis as before. Funding of over £1.5 billion is available for REPS over the period of the rural development plan and I hope that this funding will be fully taken up by organic farmers among others.
In addition, the national development plan includes a provision of £6 million for the development of the organic sector under the regional programmes for the Border, midland and western region and the south and east region. The objective will be to ensure a regular supply of high quality organic produce to the market by supporting the development of organic operators and marketing structures. The targets for the new scheme under the national development plan will be to encourage established commercial operators to develop organic lines in addition to their core business by providing aid towards equipment and facilities for preparation, grading, packing, storage and distribution of organic products.
It is evident that the demand for organic product outstrips supply, and I am satisfied that the level of demand in itself will ensure the continuing growth of the organic sector. I am concerned to build on the work already been done to ensure the integrity of Irish organic produce and to ensure that there are adequate supplies to meet demand. I am confident that the continuing supports available through REPS and the proposals for continued funding for the sector which are included in the national development plan, together with the work being done by Bord Glas, Bord Bia and Teagasc, provide a solid platform for the development of the organic sector. The area was the focus of a number of recommendations in the report of the Agri-Food 2010 Committee and these will be considered in the context of the comprehensive response to the report which I have promised.