Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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133. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress which has been made on a recent announcement from his Department that an action plan for organics will be published shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7003/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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A draft Action Plan to further develop the organic sector is in preparation. It is intended to complement the existing Strategy for the Development of the Organic Sector and to build on the targets set out there. It will also review the main recommendations of the Strategy in light of the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

The current Programme for Government is committed to aligning Ireland’s organic land area with that of the EU average of 7.5%, which is also consistent with the target proposed by Agri-Food Strategy 2030.

I believe the measures for the organic sector, contained in the CAP Strategic Plan, which has been submitted to the EU Commission for their approval, will greatly assist in achieving these targets. I have proposed a budget for the scheme for the next CAP period which is five times larger than that for the scheme in the current RDP.

In the meantime I am determined to drive on with progress and am this week reopening the organic scheme to take in new entrants.

This follows the reopening last year and is a direct result of the extra €5m I secured in the budget for the scheme this year. The reopening is being accompanied by an intensive promotional campaign to make farmers aware of the opportunities for them if they are converting this year.

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.

It is acknowledged that many of the actions set out in the Organic Strategy are key drivers of the sector, to which Teagasc and Bord Bia have been assigned a lead role. My Department is continuing to work with both of these state bodies to build on the success to date and to realise the potential of the organic sector in Ireland.

I am confident that we can continue to develop the sector to meet increasing domestic and export market opportunities.