Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I welcome our guests and particularly Professor Boyle, who I also wish well. He is back and is a great man for bouncing back. I have two or three points to make. Many of the issues have been covered. We have now heard a lot about participation in organics. I have a lot of admiration for Bord Bia, which has huge budgets.

In one of this committee's discussions, we touched on the question of whether Bord Bia should have a percentage of its marketing budget ring-fenced for the organic sector. Would that keep the pressure on? Would it be good? I would like to hear Mr Brennan's views on that. Based on what Dr. Mary Ryan talked about, we have to have participation, knowledge, knowledge transfer and training. We also have to have added value. That is also important. Dr. Ryan made this point really well in terms of the value chain. Ultimately, we have to have markets for organic produce. That is where Bord Bia comes in. I salute Bord Bia because it is an amazing organisation. Despite what others have said, I believe its branding is strong. Its credibility and integrity are strong. There has been some criticism of organics in respect of mushrooms. A certain organisation whose representatives appeared before this committee suggested the Bord Bia brand should be removed from mushrooms because peat is used in their production, but that is another debate for another day.

Since Professor Boyle is here, let me mention that Mr. Tony Pettit has done amazing work on Teagasc's education courses, prospectus, knowledge and farm walks. We have had Covid for a year and half and that has significantly restricted what could be done. I recognise that. I have been on many farm visits and farm site walks. They are really informative. We learn from meeting people, not out of a textbook. I refer to conventional agriculture, horticulture and forestry but also the organic model, which is not as pronounced and large as we would like. Could Bord Bia speak about the idea of ring-fencing a percentage of its budget for organics?

My next point is for Teagasc. There is great interest in organics. I hear what Professor Boyle is saying about training and resources. We had representatives from the Irish Organic Association and Organic Growers Ireland before the committee recently. Both bodies identified the need for more interest, learning and knowledge transfer. There is room for more. I do not buy into the idea that everyone needs a third level qualification or university degree in horticulture or agriculture to be a good practitioner of organic horticulture, forestry or agriculture. Between apprenticeships, internships and other forms of learning, there are possibilities. Many people are locked out of participation in agriculture, horticulture and forestry because there is not a broad range of courses.

I salute both organisations, particularly Teagasc, because they are exemplary. Admittedly, there are difficulties and challenges, including in respect of climate change. What Deputy Leddin said was true and focused in that we have got to be more ambitious. From what I have heard today, I am not too sure whether Teagasc and Bord Bia are as ambitious as the Government and others. I do not get the sense from the presentations today that the organisations are jumping with enthusiasm and ambition to develop organics. Organics only has a partial role. It will not be the be-all and end-all but support is needed. I thank the guests and salute both organisations because they do a hell of a lot of work. If they did not exist, we would certainly miss them.