Written answers

Thursday, 28 January 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Organic Farming Scheme

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of new places that will be provided on the organic farm scheme in 2021; the criteria that will apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4906/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An additional €4 million has been allocated to facilitate the re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme in 2021. I intend to make an announcement in the very near future on the details of the opening of the scheme.

The number of entrants who will join the Organic Farming Scheme in 2021 will depend on the applications received but the additional funding should, based on an average size of holding, facilitate the entry of some 400-500 participants.

Successful applications will be determined by a ranking and selection process if the Scheme is over-subscribed. The criteria to be applied will aim to increase the area under organic production while prioritising areas deemed to in deficit, namely the dairy, tillage and horticulture sectors.

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