Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the recent re-opening of the organic farming scheme with a new requirement, farmers will be required to produce a five year business plan as part of their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3548/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The submission of a detailed five year business plan by all new applicants is now required as part of the application process for the Organic Farming Scheme. The purpose of the Business Plan is to facilitate an assessment of the level of farming activity and sustainability of the business which is the subject of the application.

The Scheme conditions were amended as a result of a review of the Organic Farming Scheme, which was instigated by my Department in July 2009. This review considered how available funds could be used to best effect to deliver increased organic production and attain the 5% Government target, as set out in the Programme for Government.

I am satisfied that the new criteria will help to identify those applicants who were most likely to deliver increased organic output nationally, particularly in those areas where production is not meeting the demands of the home and export markets.