Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will increase the rate of payment made to organic farmers; the last time this payment was increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40435/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The current situation is that organic farmers in REPS with holdings of 3 hectares or more qualify for a supplementary organic payment of €181 per hectare on the first 55 hectares, and €30 per hectare over 55 hectares during the in-conversion period. The equivalent rates when full organic status is attained are €91 and €15 per hectare respectively. Organic farmers also qualify for basic REPS payments. Significant increases in the basic REPS payments were introduced in 2004; €200 per hectare for the first 20 hectares, €175 per hectare between 20 and 40 hectares, €75 per hectare between 40 and 55 hectares and €10 per hectare over 55 hectares.

Organic farmers in REPS with holdings of less than 3 hectares are eligible for payments of €242 per hectare during conversion and €121 with full organic status, on top of the basic REPS payment.

Subject to the approval of the European Commission, I am proposing to increase the payments to organic farmers under Ireland's new Rural Development Programme for the period 2007 to 2013. I am also proposing that the system of organic payments should be operated separately from REPS, though organic farmers will be able to join REPS as well.

The new Rural Development Programme is currently in draft form and is the subject of a consultation process.