Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The main objectives contained in the EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production is to increase consumer trust in organic food and to promote the conversion to and maintenance of organic farming methods. There is a strong corelation between the EU Action Plan and the targets contained in the Strategy for the Development of the Organic Sector.  I believe the current strategy remains relevant and continues to be a major driver of the growth of the Irish organic food sector.  

I, along with Minister of State Hackett who has responsibility for the sector, will continue to progress the implementation of the National Organic Strategy 2019-2025 which sets out ambitious growth targets for the sector by aligning it closely with market opportunities. 

The current Programme for Government has set a new target for organic farming, to meet evolving consumer trends in this area. While the EU Commission’s objective of reaching at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 is highly ambitious, there is a commitment to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the current EU average of approximately 7.5% over the lifetime of this Government. The Programme aims to focus on developing domestic and international organic markets, to ensure that farmers have access to premium-paying markets for their produce.

The Programme for Government also focuses particularly on maximising potential opportunities in the organic sector, the supply of quality Irish grains to an expanding food and drinks industry, and opportunities for home-grown proteins in animal feeds.

The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy acknowledges the market for organic food is set to continue growing and organic farming needs to be further promoted. This Strategy recognises that Organic food production has a positive impact on biodiversity and creates jobs opportunities in rural communities.  

With the re-opening of the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme, together with the reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme earlier this year, we are delivering on the Department’s Action Plan 2021 targets for further supporting and developing the organic sector.