Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
72. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of farmers to be accepted into the organic farming scheme in 2023; the expected increase in agricultural land under organic production as a result of these new entrants to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11887/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very encouraged by the strong uptake in the Organic Farming Scheme over the last two years especially in the most recent tranche from December 2022 which saw 3,423 eligible applications received. Of these, 2,131 are new to the Organic Farming Scheme and the remaining 1,292 applications representing those whose contracts finished on 31st December 2022.
There are now approximately 200,000 hectares under organic production, which represents 4% of the utilisable agricultural area. This includes farmers who commenced farming organically this year under the most recent intake to the scheme. These applications have been approved and conditional confirmation letters have issued to all applicants in February 2023. This brings us another step closer to our ambitious target and provides certainty to those who have elected to convert to organic farming.
The target set out in the Programme for Government is to achieve a rate of 7.5% of the total land area farmed organically by 2027 while the revised target set in the Climate Action plan is to achieve 10% organic land area by 2030. Under the Climate Action Plan, our main priority on organics is to increase the area of organic production to approximately 445,000 hectares by end of decade.
Under the new CSP, for the years 2023-2027, I have secured a budget of €256m for the organic sector with the aim of building upon this growth and developing the sector further. This allocation has facilitated enhanced payment rates, including the introduction of a participation payment for farmers, to support the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming.
I am confident the support measures we have put in place will assist in achieving our targets and encourage many more farmers to make the transition to organic farming. The sky is the limit for organics here in Ireland and working with Minister of Hackett we will continue to support the sustainable growth of the sector in the years ahead.
