Mr. Colm Hayes:

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to address the committee today to outline the Department’s policies and supports for the organic food and drinks sector in Ireland. This is an area of increasing priority and ambition for the Department and it is useful to take stock and hear from all stakeholders on how we can collectively realise that ambition.

The organic sector in Ireland, while a relatively small component of the overall agrifood sector with approximately 1.8% of the land area under organic production, is experiencing considerable growth at present. The area of land under organic production now stands at approximately 74,000 ha, an increase of nearly 50% since 2014. This has primarily increased because of the expansion of the organic farming scheme under our current-----