Below is a document that outlines the current situation for organic operators with regard to trading with the UK. Please note that this is relevant for processors and also farmers and growers purchasing organic materials from the UK.

Brexit Briefing Notes Jan 2021

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, T.D, has confirmed that the LEADER Food Initiative, which provides funding support for new and existing artisan, micro and small food producers, will continue next year during the CAP transition period.

Minister McConalogue stated, “I am pleased that this important programme will continue next year, and that there will be an increase in the maximum rate of aid from 50% to 75% in line with changes to LEADER generally.  This decision ensures that continued funding will be available to assist small food producers to develop new food offerings, new routes to sell their produce, and to support the rural economy at this critical time.”

The €15 million LEADER Food Initiative, which is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Rural Development Programme, will continue to support new and existing food and beverage producers in areas such as (1) market development, (2) competitiveness, and (3) innovation. A new call for applications will be launched in 2021, following on from an initial €5m call in 2018, for which approvals have been issued. The maximum amount of funding permitted is €200,000 per project.

The organic sector in Ireland continues to grow and this year has grown by 16.2%. Bord Bia have commissioned a number of reports on the sector all of which you can read below.

IrelandKantarOrganicDeckFINAL091120

Organic Eggs report – Feb 2020 – FINAL RFS

UKOrganic KantarPresFinal091120

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine have issued a circular to organic licence holders on implications for trade post December 31st. To read the circular in full please click below.

Circular No. 2_2020_Brexit

In Budget 2021 funding for the organic sector has increased by 13%, this includes funding to allow new entrants into the organic farming scheme. Minister Pippa Hackett outlines more about the proposal in the Irish Independent, and Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association welcomes the move. CLICK HERE to read the full article.