Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 28 June 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Consolidation in Horticultural Grower Numbers: Discussion
Mr. Brian Rushe:
In terms of the organic piece in particular, there is big job of work around marketing and making sure the market is there before the product goes out. It is going to leave a bitter taste in farmers' mouths if there is a big increase in organic production and they end up taking conventional prices. It is not going to be good news for farmers and is not going to be good news for the sector in general. I would agree about the difference the Senator spoke about. There is a market potential for that but it is about getting it to market. There are many people on our island, but we have a big market on our doorstep. Supply chains need to be put in place that allow us to access the European market. Then again, we would be competing with our European counterparts.