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

This is one of the more disappointing hearings I have attended in my time as a member of the committee. The reason is that organics have to form a big part of the solution to the challenges facing Irish farming. We know that as a country we cannot compete on price. If we try to pursue a policy that is based on quantity and price, we will always be beaten by countries such as Brazil, so we have to compete on quality. That must be the core. It is shameful that in this green isle, with its world-renowned reputation for quality product, only 2% of our farmland is in organic use. That there was virtually no recognition of this problem in either opening statement or in the subsequent remarks is a worrying trend.

In recent weeks, I have met numerous farmers who are in organics or want to pursue organics. Many of those who are in organics are slowly beginning to reach a point where they are sustainable and successful. They have told me clearly that they have done so despite the two organisations represented here, rather than because of them. Based on their interactions with their colleagues, they consider that in relation to the expertise and advice available and the marketing of our product, we are much more deficient than almost any other European country.

Will both organisations indicate their level of expenditure on organic-specific projects for each of the past three years and what proportion that makes up of their overall budget? The organic sector has grown 16% in retail terms. Was that growth reflected in the organisations' budgets? If not, that reinforces my point.

Will Mr. Brennan outline what assistance Bord Bia is providing to organic farmers directly who are seeking to market their own organic produce. This was touched on but it would be useful if we could get a clear explanation of the reason there is no organic market for cows or bulls and virtually no premium for sheep. Why do many organic farmers regard the organic symbol as being of a higher standard and more worthwhile than the Bord Bia label? Should we be marketing organic produce solely on the basis of organic accreditation?

In relation to Teagasc, Professor Boyle said that five of the 100 signpost farms will be organic. Does he agree that sets out the problem in relation to the lack of ambition and vision we have? We currently have 2% of farmland in organics and the Department is targeting a measly 7.5% but Teagasc has failed to even meet that target in its signpost programme, in which organic farms will account for 5% of farms, if that. Does Professor Boyle agree that there is a problem in the approach when he talks about the value? He mentioned the number of specialists and supports that are in place. Does he acknowledge that this needs to be based on potential rather than current value? If we are to look at potential, all the signposts suggest that the growth is in organics.

Can either organisation provide statistics on the number of animals reared on organic farms that are being sold conventionally? What percentage is leakage? Where are the failures that cause organic animals to be sold on conventional markets? Why do those failures exist and what can we do to address them?