http://thewoodlandretreat.com/hire ENSURING FAIR PLAY FOR ORGANIC FARMERS IN THE NEW CAP

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has launched a 4-week public consultation on the draft schemes and supports for Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 ( Bello closing date of 27^th August). As part of the process the Department is organising two evening “Virtual Townhall Meetings” next Wednesday (11th August) and Thursday (12th August) between 19:00 and 21:00 (register here). The Irish Organic Association has been working hard to put forward farmer members’ views on this new policy since 2019 and will continue to be actively engaged in the process. However, for organic food and farming to be prioritised it is critical that organic farmers make written submissions to the CAP consultation too.

Written submissions marked buy me a boat lyrics ‘draft interventions for CAP Strategic Plan’ should be made by 27^th August to CAPStrategicPlan@agriculture.gov.ie or through the online form here. Alternatively written submissions can be sent by post to CAP Rural Development Division, Agriculture House, Kildare Street, D02 WK12.

 

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) have confirmed a detected case of ILT in County Monaghan. On that basis they are advising all poultry farms to ensure high bio-security and vigilance for poultry flocks is maintained as this is essential to help mitigate the risk of further outbreaks.

Poultry operators are asked to notify their Private Veterinary Practitioner if any production decreases such as egg drop are noted. For more information please CLICK HERE

The EU today (March 25th) launched their Organic Action Plan which includes a range of targets and strategies to assist in achieving the Farm to Fork ambition to have 25% of organic land certified organic by 2030. To download the Organic Action Plan CLICK HERE

The Irish Organic Association are hosting two Information Webinars on how to apply to the Organic Farming Scheme. The events take place on Wednesday March 31st and Wednesday April 7th beginning at 7.30pm. The main focus of the webinars is assisting farmers with filling out the required paperwork and includes questions and answer session for any technical questions on organic farming.

Booking is essential and you can email info@irishoa.ie, or text Organic followed by your name and email address to 51444. Alternatively call the IOA office on 090 6433680 to book your place. A email with the link to the webinars will be provided to people who book in.

The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine have just announced that the Organic Farming Scheme will open to new entrants in the first week of March 2021. Full details of the scheme will be announced when the scheme opens on March 1st.

Announcing the opening of the Scheme, Minister Hackett said, “I am delighted to be in a position to support the growing number of farmers in Ireland who want to farm organically.  Organic farming embraces nature and natural processes to produce organic food, for which there is a growing demand both in Ireland and across Europe.  And the reopening of this scheme, with the extra funding and scope for so many more farmers to join, demonstrates my Department’s commitment to helping farmers cater for that demand.”

Referring further to the extra numbers who will be catered for, the Minister added, “We expect 400-500 new farmers to be able to join the scheme. That represents a significant added investment organic farming which we can make because of the additional €4million we secured in this year’s budget.  It will also help us meet the targets set out in the Programme for Government to align Ireland’s organic land area with that of the current EU average over the lifetime of this Government.”

Priority will be given to those in sectors where there continues to be growing demand;

• Horticulture
• Dairy
• Tillage

In addition priority will be given to young farmers entering the Organic Farming Scheme.