Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

219. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions within the climate action plan that relate to the promotion of organic farming; the progress that has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34762/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under the Climate Action Plan, our main priority on organics is to increase the area of organic production from 74,000ha to approximately 335,000 ha.

Since the publication of the Climate Action Plan, the area of land has increased to approximately 110,000 ha. The recent Organic Farming scheme which closed in April 2022 resulted in a total of 380 new applications. This was 20% higher than the scheme opening in the previous year.

In order to maximise the potential of the sector, I have proposed an allocation of €256 million under the new CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023 to 2027 to support this upward trend. This is a significant five fold increase in funding for the sector compared to the previous CAP period.  

Additionally there are five organic demonstration farmers participating in the Signpost Programme, and being supported by Teagasc Organic Specialists and FutureBeef Programme Advisers.

A new MSC in Biological and Organic Farming has also been launched in WIT and will have its first full intake in September 2022.  

My Department has reconvened the Organic strategy forum which will meet for the 4th time this year in July 2022 and is undertaking a full examination of the Organic Sector by looking at pathways to Organic farming and also examining the market potential in the current retail climate.

My Department will continue to look at innovative ways to support the Organic Farming sector and our funding commitments are evidence of our support to ensure that Organic Farmers are empowered to transition to more long-term sustainable methods of farming.