Vol. 553 No. 4
10 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food, in regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government, the specific action it is intended to take to develop the organic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13983/02]
The programme for Government provides for the further development of the organic sector through an increase at production level and the development of a single national label to take advantage both of the "clean green" image of Irish agriculture and of the added appeal of organic food.
I have asked my officials to prepare an action plan in response to the report of the Organic Development Committee which I received in April this year. The committee, which I established on foot of a recommendation in the Agri-Food 2010 report, was made up a wide range of stakeholders representing the organic sector itself together with the processing and retail sectors, the mainstream farming organisations, consumer interests and the State sector. In its report the committee has highlighted those areas of production that have potential for development. It has identified a number of factors that have a bearing on production levels and has made a series of recommendations relating to them. The committee also recommended the development of a national label for Irish organic produce.
The Organic Development Committee has rightly identified the organic sector as one that provides opportunities for Irish farmers and the Irish food industry and I have asked my officials to give priority to addressing the committee's main recommendations.
The Minister will agree that one of the problems facing the farming community is the effort to create trust in the product. In a recent seminar at the Teagasc centre in Carlow different products were suggested but what does the Department intend to do to attract people into this field? Our major problem is creating a market which will encourage farmers to diversifying into other areas. In the midlands there are small groups of organic farmers who would not make a major input – theirs is not a huge undertaking. A system will have to be put in place by different sectors through the grant system to attract farmers into this area. What is the Minister doing in this regard?
There is potential in the organic sector. At one point those in that area were regarded as way-out or off the main stream of activity, but there is a niche market for organic products. In November 2000 I established a committee which reported to the then Minister of State, Deputy Davern, in April of this year. It made a number of recommendations, including setting up a steering group to act as a driving force for the development of the sector, a partnership expert working group to co-ordinate training, education and advice and research as well as an organic market development group under the co-ordination of Bord Bia.
In addition, there are attractive grants under REPS for those in organic farming. For example, organic farmers participating in REPS can avail of additional payments under the organic supplementary measure. The payments are substantial. An organic farmer with 40 hectares can receive up to €13,280 per year for the first two years and up to €9,680 per year thereafter for as long as he or she is in REPS. Over €28 million is allocated specifically to organic farmers under REPS. There is also €8.252 million under the national development plan. We are serious about organic produce and supporting the organic sector. I am pleased the acrimonious row going on between different groups in the organic sector about standards has been fully cleared up because it was a distraction. I hope the potential demand for naturally produced food, for which we have ideal soil and climate, will develop over the next few years.
That concludes questions for today.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
