DAFM Organic
Ministers McConalogue and Hackett announce opening of the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Processing Investment Grant
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. and Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett have today confirmed the opening of the Organic Farming Scheme and the Organic Processing Investment Grant for applications.
Minister McConalogue said:
“This Government recently approved a new Organic Strategy for 2024-2030 that sets out ambitious targets for the sector. My own ambition for the agricultural sector is to see farmers across Ireland supported to pursue the agricultural activity that best suits their farm and their family situation. The Organic Farming Scheme provides the vehicle for those interested in organic farming to do so. Support comes not only in the form of very attractive scheme payments, but also through funding for promotion to drive increased consumer sales volumes. This will also be important to reach our ambition of more than trebling the wholesale value of Irish organic output, to €750 million, by 2030.
Earlier this year, my Department carried out a feed survey which showed that, due to the significant increase in organic livestock over the last three years, there is huge demand for organic livestock feed. This, allied with increased demand for food-grade organic oats, is a real opportunity for Irish tillage farmers.
In addition, one of the key actions of the Organic Strategy is to reduce leakage from the organic sector, and the Government therefore wants to encourage investment in organic processing capacity. In support of this aim, I have secured a significantly increased allocation of €3.5 million for the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme for 2025.”
Minister Hackett stated:
“The current level of interest in organic farming in Ireland is unprecedented, and today is a further significant milestone for organic farming in Ireland as we continue towards our target of 10% of agricultural land farmed organically by 2030. The reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme will allow us to support even more farmers to produce food in a way that is good for climate, nature and water quality, while the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme will add value to that organic food further down the supply chain, ultimately helping to improve farm gate prices.
“In the last two years alone, the number of organic farms has more than doubled, and there has been significant investment made in market development. The momentum of the organic sector is now very strongly underpinned by Government policy and supported by State Agencies including Teagasc and Bord Bia, as well as the private advisory services in ACA and the Organic Certification Bodies. This is a great opportunity for many farmers to maximise sustainability and future-proof their business by reducing their input costs.
I have recently returned from Germany where I launched our first-ever co-funded European pasture-fed organic beef and lamb campaign. I know from the organic trade missions I have led that European retailers I met are confident about the future of the sector and that they are looking for regular supply of quality organic Irish produce at scale. This is a huge opportunity, and Bord Bia will continue to promote Irish organic food both at home and abroad, including in the key German market, which is worth €16 billion per year.”
The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environment measure under Ireland’s 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan. Drystock farmers entering into a contract could qualify for yearly payments of up to €300 per hectare during the conversion period, and up to €250 per hectare when they have achieved full organic status. Higher payment rates are available for organic horticultural and tillage farmers. In addition, a participation payment of €2,000 in the first year of conversion and €1,400 per annum thereafter has been introduced to support organic farmers.
Minister McConalogue concluded:
“This year we increased the grant rate in our Organic Processing Investment Scheme to 60% to stimulate investment in processing capacity. It is encouraging to see that this approach has worked, and that investment in the sector has more than trebled this year compared to the average of the previous five years. At the launch of our new Organic Strategy it was clear to see the support from the farming organisations for organic farming. I encourage all farmers interested in exploring the option of organic farming to engage with their advisors on the substantial supports available."
ENDS
Notes
Both schemes will be open to applications from all sectors from Wednesday 16th October 2024. They will remain open until 29th November 2024. Applicants from the dairy, horticultural and tillage sectors will receive priority access to the Organic Farming Scheme.
A guide to the Organic Farming Scheme application process and a FAQ document is available on the department’s website to assist potential applicants at: Organic Farming Scheme.
Teagasc has developed a series of new Organic Factsheets to give information to farmers considering organic enterprise options. In addition, a new guide “Organic Farming – A Step-by-Step Guide to Conversion” has been developed and is available on the Teagasc website.
Copies of the Organic Farming Scheme terms and conditions are available on the department's organics page at Organic Farming Scheme.
Our Climate Action Plan has a target of 10% off land area to be farmed organically by 2030.
The aim is to reach this target by supporting farmers to convert to organic farming through the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), enhanced advisory support and increased promotion as well as developing market demand.
The overall objective of the Organic Farming Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.
A total budget of €256 million has been allocated to the OFS over the lifetime of the new CAP Strategic Plan. For a 40ha drystock farmer total payment over the 5 years of the organic farming scheme will be 54% higher than under the previous CAP.
The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Organic Farming Scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Union.
For more information, visit www.gov.ie/cap.
The OPIG Scheme is implemented in tranches, with this tranche running from 15th October to 29th November 2024. Copies of the terms and conditions of the Grant Scheme, together with application forms, are available from the Organics and Market Supports Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Wexford and on the department’s website at: Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme: Terms and conditions.
This organic support scheme is financed from the National Exchequer.
Applications to be received by post or email on or before 29 November 2024.
Information on the Green Public Procurement Action Plan is available at: Green Public Procurement.
Organic Strategy ambition to 2030
Increase in wholesale food value from €200mn today to €750mn by 2030.
Organic beef numbers will double in 2025 compared to this year, estimated to increase to 12,000 tonnes by 2030 from 4000 tonnes today.
Organic sheep numbers will treble in 2026 compared to this year, estimated to increase to 3000 tonnes to 2030 from approx. 500 tonnes today.
Milk production could double to 40mn l by 2030 from approx. 20mn today.
Tillage area expected to more than double by 2030, oats and combicrops (protein and cereal) offer major opportunities. A DAFM organic feed survey estimates a need for 50,000 tonnes of livestock feed (concentrates and straights) this winter. Approx 30,000 tonnes of this will be imported.
Poultry production could increase significantly from today with potential for a 50% increase in egg production to 53 mn eggs annually.
Pork has major opportunities to grow particularly though direct sales albeit from a low base.
Horticulture. In line with the national strategy for horticulture considerable potential exits for growth. Imports currently account for approx. 70% of retail sales in Ireland. Aim is to reduce this to less than 50% by 2030.
Aquaculture. Ireland is by far the leading producer in the EU with a 42% market share followed by Italy (16%) and France (8%) scope for future growth is recognised by all stakeholders.
Key priorities are
Supporting Organic Farming Participation:
Coordinating the Value Chain:
Growing the Domestic Market:
Driving Export Growth:
Expanding Public Procurement:
Boosting Skills and Support:
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