Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the level of demand for organic food and if he believes there is potential for this to grow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40776/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The organic food sector in Ireland is currently valued at approximately €94 million annually and there are about 1,500 producers engaged in organic production. However, a large portion of the organic produce on the Irish market is imported. Apart from the domestic market, there are major export opportunities for Irish organic produce in other European markets. For example, the UK market is currently estimated to be worth Stg.£1.5 billion annually and the German organic market is valued at €5.85 billion annually.

There are many factors driving the recent growth in demand for organic food, such as health and environmental concerns. The wish for GM-free food among certain consumers has also been a factor. Against this background, I am satisfied that there is considerable potential for expansion in organic production here. This is recognised in the commitment in the Programme for Government and, more recently, has been reflected in the Food Harvest 2020 Report. The report places the organic sector within the overall context of development of agriculture and the food industry and sets out a number of specific recommendations for the sector in relation to grant aid for production and processing, the promotion of consumer awareness, marketing and research and development.