Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 22 June 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Organic Farming: Discussion (Resumed)

Professor Gerry Boyle:

I thank Deputy Carthy for his questions and observations, specifically in respect of Teagasc. It is important to understand that Teagasc has a wide remit, which covers the entire agricultural sector. We do not have an unlimited budget, as I am sure the Deputy is well aware, and we have to allocate our resources in the best way we possibly can. Potential is not something we can measure. As I indicated with regard to our allocation of advisory resources, we allocate resources at possibly three times the level of the value of the sector at the moment. That embraces a certain ambition. Of course, I would like to be in a position to allocate more resources but we have to keep it in balance. For example, looking at the other sectors in Irish agriculture that are hugely important to Irish farming and that farmers also need to develop in order to be able to make a living, there is the sheep and pig sectors, for example. Horses are also a very important part of our remit, as is poultry. I would dearly love-----