John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Teagasc has identified advisers to work with farmers. It has also developed and delivered a number of organic courses for farmers and intends to expand in this area. In addition to the roll-out of organic education and advice, Teagasc is developing an organic beef research programme. It hopes to work closely with small producers and farmers who want to enter this area. Teagasc is very active in this area and I will encourage it to become even more active in the months ahead. It is important that we continue to debate this issue but, more importantly, that we encourage farmers to take up the substantial extra grant aid that exists under the REPS.

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