Mary White (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the role of and the functions to be carried out by an Forás Orgánach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36077/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Forás Orgánach was established to drive forward the development of the organic sector in Ireland. It replaces the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector which completed its second three-year term earlier in 2009. Forás Orgánach was established to build on the work of the National Steering Group and its predecessor, the Organic Development Committee. Forás Orgánach is made up of individuals with expertise in particular areas who can bring their talents and specialist knowledge to the efforts to develop the organic sector further. It is chaired by Mr Noel Groome, Managing Director of Groome's, a major employer in the fresh food industry. The scope of the group is to provide a platform for progress and change within the organic sector.

The objectives of Forás Orgánach are:

To achieve a targeted increase in conversion to organic production.

To promote organic within the mainstream media.

To highlight the benefits of organic produce to the broader consumer base.

To replace imports with home organic produce.

To promote awareness of the potential export market.

To create business opportunities between the retail/produce sectors.

Forás Orgánach, which has already met twice, has set down a number of goals. These goals include using the current Organic Farming Action Plan to reach the objectives I have just mentioned, and revisiting the plan regularly to reassess its relevance. Expert sub-groups will be set up within Forás Orgánach to carry out specific tasks. There is also a plan to develop a comprehensive document on the business and financial aspects of organic farming.