Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of both organic and non-organic production promotion initiatives undertaken by his Department over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34541/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has wide-ranging initiatives in place for the assistance of farmers in agricultural production including, inter alia, disease eradication programmes, animal welfare schemes, quality assurance schemes and REPS. All these schemes contribute to the production of quality products be they organic or non-organic.

An Bord Bia carries out a series of food promotion initiatives on an ongoing basis. In addition, Teagasc has a major advisory and training programme in place covering all types of farming and food production.

In relation to organic production in particular, the Programme for Government has set a target to convert a minimum 5% of acreage to organic farmland by 2012. In response, my Department launched its Organic Farming Action Plan 2008–2012 earlier this year. The Plan aims to increase production in line with market trends, to increase the knowledge base, to develop the organic market at home and abroad and to encourage the development of public procurement opportunities for organic products.

My Department, in conjunction with An Bord Bia, held a National Organic Week from 15th to 21st September 2008 to promote the consumption of organic food as well as encouraging farmers to enter into organic food production. 2008 was the 4th year of National Organic Week and the event has greatly contributed to an increased awareness of organic produce and its benefits.