Vol. 559 No. 2
111 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will address the problems of local advisers being less than positive when consulted regarding the possibility of going into organic production according to several farmers and a report in a publication (details supplied). [26007/02]
I am not aware that local advisers are being less than positive when consulted regarding the possibility of going into organic production. Teagasc advisers are mandated to provide advice that is in the best interest of the individual farmer who asks for it. In the case of advice on organic farming, as with other possible enterprises, this advice will include an evaluation of the likely economic impact of a move to organic production. The nature of this advice will vary from farm to farm and will be heavily influenced by the availability of market outlets that produce an economic return from organic farming.
