Ms Gillian Westbrook:

There are approximately 2,300 organic operators in Ireland, of which 23% are processors and the remainder are farm operators. IOFGA certifies 1,300 members. We certify to EU organic regulations, and are an International Organization for Standardization, ISO, accredited regulatory certification body that inspects, samples products for analysis, investigates and reports non-conformities and statistical information under contract to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as required by the governing EU law. We also provide the Department with production statistics and details of our licence fees which are used to calculate the cost incurred and income forgone that determine the land area payment under Pillar 2 for the organic farming scheme.

It is important to have at least two certification bodies capable of inspecting at farm and processor level, as monopolies are never a good idea and it provides a balanced approach to discussion and interpretation of EU law for effective implementation in Ireland. Retaining the existing system of control allows for the complete follow through of the entire organic chain, from farm through to retailer and back again. The quality and information systems in place at IOFGA ensure this by cross-referencing organic product details picked up at inspection and follow-up investigations which can include other organic certification bodies, nationally and globally. This efficient yet complex system limits the consequences of potential breaches in organic integrity by nipping them in the bud and ensures free movement of Irish organic food in the EU and third countries.

In addition to running this complete service as required by law to certify organic produce, IOFGA also represents its members at EU level by working directly with the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement, IFOAM, where all member states are represented in order to provide one voice for the organic sector. Complexities in regulation and policy are discussed and agreement is made for onward communication with the EU Commission, Parliament and Council, thus ensuring the interests of our Irish organic operators are represented and that trade, especially our valuable export market, is not interrupted.

We take a grounded approach to exchanging information on best practice to improve farm and processor trade and seek solutions to the common challenges facing the sector. Ideas and pioneering approaches are subsequently disseminated to our members using various communication tools. This requires extensive stakeholder engagement, but as a certification body we are in an ideal position to deliver.

IOFGA provided comprehensive responses to the public consultation for the latest rural development programme, and is represented at the national forum. We asked for, among other things, increased payment under the organic farming scheme, OFS, and provided sound evidence-based justification for increased supports, which were duly acted upon. We asked for and made specific recommendations in respect of actions under the agri-environment climate scheme, including priority access to the green low-carbon agri-environment scheme, GLAS, and GLAS+ for organic farmers, and a list of actions that did not incur double funding. Organic farmers did get priority access into GLAS but some actions on the same land parcel may claim support from either the GLAS scheme or the OFS only, but not both, as detailed in measure 11 of the rural development programme.

There are challenges in the sector and IOFGA considers the national organic action plan an appropriate platform on which to address these issues of expansion and barriers to the sector. A coherent strategy is needed to address trade issues. The existing action plan requires adjustment in line with expansion and the growing consumer demand nationally and globally for organic food. With new markets opening and the possibility of existing markets closing, coupled with either deficit or surplus in some commodities, a targeted approach is urgently needed to ensure Irish organic farmers and processors are not left at a disadvantage.

On a more local level, IOFGA has been active in the promotion of organic food and improving farm performance. We have run a series of events and promotional activities with chefs and consumers to highlight the value of organics. We have a monthly column in a national farming paper, and provide a series of field talk events for farmers to exchange knowledge and discuss market opportunities, often bringing experts to discuss specific areas of interest. We ran a series of farm economy events for farmers considering organics so that they could make an informed decision as to whether it was the right move. Our quarterly magazine is packed with useful information on all aspects of farming and processing and updates on market opportunities. We provide regular updates in newsletters and text messages and act as a one-stop shop for everything organic. We are a small, member-owned association and are proud to be active and progressive in everything to do with organic trade.