Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The organic scheme was re-opened in consultation with the organic strategy implementation group. It was identified that there was scope for expansion in the dairy and arable sectors. The organic scheme for beef was well subscribed but there was a deficit in organic grains for supplementary feed to finish animals. The feed was too expensive which meant that some beef and only 32% of lamb born to organic standards was being sold as organic because it was not economically viable. There was also great demand for milk products and by-products from the Little Milk Company, Glenisk and others. The scheme was weighted in favour of the dairy and arable tillage sectors specifically at the request of the focus group. We implemented its recommendations and we re-opened the scheme. There will be a review of the scheme post 2020. When my predecessor, Trevor Sargent, a former colleague of Deputy Eamon Ryan, was in the Department 12 years ago he set a goal to drive forward organic production, which was at 1%. We are now at 2% and growing, so the scheme has worked and is working and it has potential.

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