Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending today. I gather that Mr. O'Donnell killed two birds with the one stone and also joined his neighbours on the mica protest. I extend the best wishes of this committee to everybody involved. As we know, they include quite a number of farming families.

I welcome this initial conversation on organics. This is an area of great potential for the agrifood sector, in particular as it allows the farming community to diversify in a way that can increase the returns coming to farming families, if it is managed right, while also being of significant benefit to the environment. Therefore, it is regrettable that we have seen such a lack of vision and imagination from statutory bodies, specifically the Department, in that regard.

Both speakers referred to Teagasc and Bord Bia and we have heard of some of the failings. Both of these bodies are statutory bodies that are bound to take direction from the Government. What direction do we need to give to Teagasc in terms of research, education and training and what does it need to do to support the organic sector in a sufficient way? There is not enough emphasis by Bord Bia on the marketing of organic products. Reference has already been made to the sheep sector. What do we need to put in place? Do we need to ring-fence a proportion of Bord Bia's budget for the promotion of organic food or do the witnesses have any other propositions?

Mr. O'Donnell referred to a point made in the INHFA's submission about the blockages to entry in the scheme. He mentioned stocking rates. There was also a reference to commonage. What needs to be put in place in order to allow those with commonage land to be able to avail of the organic farming scheme?

Perhaps Mr. Renaghan can answer this question, and other witnesses might also wish to contribute. There is a particular problem concerning the lack of competition in the organic feed processing sector. Do the witnesses have a sense of what could be done to ensure that we do not end up with the same situation in the organic sector as the wider beef sector in that the market is entirely dominated by one or perhaps two big players? Is there more we can do to support organic marts that can export organic live cattle out of the country? I know this has been attempted at Ballybay mart, for example, in my constituency? Could we put more in place at a central level to encourage that type of activity? I will leave it there for now, a Chathaoirligh.