Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
16. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures that were introduced in budget 2022 to support the organic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51436/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWe spoke previously about the organic farm scheme and the specific supports for farmers. Will the Minister of State outline the broader measures she intends to introduce in order to expand the organic sector?
I am delighted to have secured the significant increase in the budget for organic farming in 2022. Funding for the organic farming scheme was increased to €21 million, up from €16 million last year, and €2 million was allocated for further organic sector development measures. This increase is welcome and will certainly address the growing demand from both farmers and consumers for this type of production. The €21 million funding is a doubling of the funding for organics since I took office less than two years.
The Deputies will be aware that the programme for Government contains a commitment to aligned Ireland's organic land area with that of the EU average. At the time of the programme for Government formation talks, that figure was 7.5%, although I appreciate it is higher at present. In assisting the delivery of that commitment through the scheme, I will also progress the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025, which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning with market opportunities. Engagement with Bord Bia in identifying those opportunities and the opening them up for our producers is crucial.
The additional funding allocated to the opening of the organic farming scheme in 2022 could provide for an additional 50,000 ha of land converted to organic production. This would represent an increase in excess of 50% of the area currently farmed organically. It will take us further along the path to the goal of 7.5% land cover. I encourage all farmers from all sectors to engage with my Department and relevant agencies. Advisory boards will be made available to farmers for information.
My difficulty is that the Minister of State refers to significant increases in funding, and such language, yet she keeps reverting to the pathetic target of 7.5% over the course of the next CAP. There is one magic ingredient that will ensure a substantial over-subscription by farmers to the organic farm scheme, that is, the removal of the anomaly that prevents those on the organic farm scheme from also participating in agri-environmental schemes. With a bit of imagination and flexibility on the part of the Department and the EU, that can be resolved. Will the Minister of State ensure farmers can participate in both the organic farm scheme and the agri-environmental scheme? Both schemes would benefit from a show of flexibility.
I, too, welcome the increase in funding but the problems in the market need to be tackled also. In livestock production, organic farming is not attractive. We know there is a monopoly among a couple of big players in the meat business. They offer a pittance more for organic beef compared to non-organic beef, such that it is not economically worthwhile producing organic beef. One can go to independent abattoirs, however they are - pardon the pun - an increasingly endangered species for a variety of reasons. Only the Minister of State can tackle those reasons.
On the target, I appreciate it is nowhere near the EU target of 25%. We are coming from an incredibly low base level because of low support for this sector in recent decades. I am getting us on the road to improve that. It is my hope, if we hit those targets by the end of this CAP, the door will be open to ramp them up in the next CAP.
Organic farmers are not excluded from agri-environmental schemes. Sometimes the Commission rules and the regulations limit double payments on the same land for essentially the same measures, which is the issue. Organic farmers are invited to apply for and are at the top of the list to get into agri-environmental schemes. It depends on the design of that and is a matter I will consider in the next round of CAP negotiations.
The Minister of State can say the farmers are not prevented from applying to agri-environmental schemes but the reality has been that it has been virtually impossible for them to enter both schemes under the previous CAP and is a matter that needs to be addressed.
The Minister of State referred to Bord Bia. There is a recognition that Bord Bia and Teagasc have a huge role to play in the research and marketing of organic produce, if this sector is to expand and become successful. I am not sure whether I trust either organisation to do that unilaterally. There must be pressure applied and the budgets of both organisations must be ring-fenced to indicate that they need to reflect the level of ambition that the rhetoric suggests is there, in order that specific marketing and research budgets are assigned for organics. Will the Minister of State consider this?
I have engaged closely with Bord Bia and Teagasc. It is my priority to direct those agencies to increase what they do for organics with regards to Teagasc's research and advisory role and Bord Bia's marketing of organic produce, including domestic marketing, which is important.
This relates to the previous comments on market opportunities, particularly for livestock farmers. I know organic producers. Some take the factory route while others look at a more local base and command a very significant price for their animals. With regard to supports for connecting local food producers to local consumers, there is great scope in that area. I would like to see that explored through Bord Bia and in other ways.
