Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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388. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures which can be put in place to ensure organic farming remains competitive and worthwhile in circumstances in which current prices for organically reared cattle are similar to those for non-organic cattle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38499/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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A new Organic Sector Strategy Group was established in March this year by my Department which is tasked with developing a strategy for the development of the Organic Sector for the period up to 2025. The new Strategic plan will feed into the new Rural Development Plan and Foodwise 2025. This strategy will incorporate sectorial and cross sectoral recommendations, market developments, training and education, public awareness and wider EU policy.

Recognising that it is critical that stakeholders have their views considered, before the finalisation of this strategy, a public consultation process was initiated by my Department which afforded an opportunity for all interested parties to contribute to the development of the new strategic plan for the development of the Organic Sector.

Bord Bia research shows that the Irish Organic Market grew by 10.5% in 2017. This is a very positive reflection on organic farming in Ireland and it mirrors a growing trend across Europe and globally. This trend suggests that there is further potential in the sector but in order to grow sustainably it must be market driven. We need to focus on how we can further grow the market and explore all opportunities such as growing exports. In this way we can ensure that the sector remains competitive and that organic producers receive a worthwhile premium for their product.