Mr. Padraic Finnegan:

I thank the Chairman and members for once again giving us the opportunity to highlight the problems within the organic farming scheme as it stands. We came before this committee on 8 October 2015 to highlight major problems within the organic farming scheme and we were very happy with the recommendations of the committee but to date little or none of those recommendations have been implemented. I understand members have copies of the presentation.

There are major problems with organic farming scheme payments being made on time. We sought to have all money paid out within the calendar year and the joint committee recommended that the Department should ensure no payments were delayed. For various reasons a lot of payments are still delayed and we are at a loss as to why that needs to be the case. To clearly define the role of certification bodies, we recommended that Bord Bia take on this role rather than the present arrangement where farmers must pay outrageous fees to private certification bodies. The joint committee recommended that the Department should investigate whether it would be more efficient to have one streamlined body granting organic status, preferably Bord Bia, and that the registration fees for same would be reduced. To date, this recommendation has not been implemented.

With regard to the impact of double funding on smaller hectare organic farmers, we sought to have the scheme front-loaded to lessen the impact on the smaller farmer. The joint committee has recognised that smaller farmers are not benefitting adequately from the organic farming scheme while larger farmers are benefitting disproportionately. The joint committee recommended that the first 20 ha be front-loaded at €315 per hectare in view of the fact that smaller farmers cannot avail of both the green, low carbon, agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and the organic scheme. To date this recommendation has not been implemented.

We sought to have risk-based inspection put in place rather than the present arrangement where certification bodies inspect organic farms every year. The joint committee recommended that the Department employ a risk-based inspection regime when inspecting premises involved in organic farming. To date, this recommendation has not been implemented.Farmers who have a Bord Bia inspection and organic inspection should have both carried out simultaneously.The joint committee recommended that the Department should attempt to reduce the duplication of inspections by making Bord Bia the certification body. This recommendation has not yet been implemented.

Those are my opening comments. Mr. Connelly will also make a contribution.