The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine recently had a public consultation on the Draft National Horticulture Strategy 2023-2027. As part of the process the Irish Organic Association consulted with relevant members to get feedback. Closing date for submissions was May 14th. Click on the link IOA Input to Horticulture Strategy 2023 to read the full document.
Irish Organic Association welcomes investment in organic market development
22/05/2023 – The Irish Organic Association welcomes the allocation of €1 million for organic promotion and development to Bord Bia, announced by Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today. The funding will be used to increase consumer awareness of Irish organic food, drink and horticulture and develop future market opportunities for the sector going forward.
Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association, said “We welcome the Government’s announcement to boost consumer awareness and marketing of Irish organic produce both at home and abroad. The growing interest in organic production amongst Irish farmers and business is a good news story in our efforts to stimulate the sustainable development of the Irish agri-food sector. The funding provides a much-needed injection of investment to strategically cultivate a diverse portfolio of premium organic products and to spread the value of market gains fairly across the organic supply chain.” [Read more…]
Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) Now Open
The Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) under the new Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme 3 (TAMS 3) opened for applications on 19th April 2023. The scheme supports costs towards new farm buildings and upgrades as well as specialised equipment and machinery. Grant aid of up to 60% is available for organic farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme.
Other licensed organic operators (not particpating in the Organic Farming Scheme) are supported at a rate of 40%. The minimum amount of investment eligible is €2,000 per application, with a maximum investment ceiling per holding of €90,000, increasing to €160,000 for Farm Partnerships registered with the Department. TAMS 3 applications are processed in tranches, with Tranche 1 expected to close on 16th June
DAFM will organise an information webinar on the Organic Capital Investment Scheme on Thursday, 4 May at 11am, register here.
[Read more…]
Multi-species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures Launched April 12th
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the opening of the 2023 Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures. The measures were launched on April 12th, and the total budget is €2.5 million, Minister McConalogue said: “A payment rate of up to €300/ha is also being provided for, which represents a significant increase on the rate of aid paid last year.”
The Minister also announced a number of key changes compared to last year’s Pilot Measures including:
- payments will be made directly to the approved farmer on a per hectare basis
- the payment rate has been increased significantly up to a potential €300 per hectare where eligible swards are established. A reduced payment rate per hectare will apply as appropriate if eligible applications exceed the available combined budget for the two measures
- to receive payment under either measure, an applicant must indicate the correct crop type on their 2023 BISS application
To apply, an applicant/their agent needs to log into Agfood.ie and then select “Multi-Species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measure”, they then select “Schemes to Enter” and finally “Multi-Species Sward Measure (MSSM) 2023/Red Clover Silage Measure (RCSM) 2023”.
Applicants must agree to the declarations and Terms & Conditions. The application portal will close on 29 May 2023.
Irish Citizens back Organic Farming as part of the solution to Ireland’s Biodiversity Crisis
05/04/2023 – Today the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss published its final report and recommendations following discussions and deliberations since last May. The Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss reaffirms the need for meaningful action and change across key parts of the economy and society, with a radical overhaul of Ireland’s approach to biodiversity management, backed by constitutional protections.
The report considers all sectors including agriculture, with key recommendations to develop organic production and consumption as part of the solution for supporting biodiversity protection and enhancement. [Read more…]
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