Irish Organic Association

IOA

  • Home
  • About
    • Why Choose IOA
    • Join IOA
    • IOA Organic Food and Farming Standards
    • Steps to Organic Certification (Farming)
    • Steps to Organic Certification (Processor)
  • News
  • Research & Reports
    • Organic Market & Production
    • Research & Innovation Projects
    • Organic Farming & Public Goods
  • Contact Us
  • Farming
    • Organic Farming Scheme and Grant Aid Scheme
    • Why Choose IOA
    • Join IOA
    • Steps to Organic Certification (Farming)
    • Application Forms (Farmer)
    • Farmer Forms
    • IOA Organic Food and Farming Standards
    • Mart Information
    • Classified Ads
    • Education
    • Field Talks
  • Processing
    • Why Choose IOA
    • Join IOA
    • Steps to Organic Certification (Processor)
    • IOA Organic Food and Farming Standards
    • Application Forms (Processor & Retailer)
    • Processor Forms
    • Organic Aquaculture
    • Organic Health and Beauty- Private Standards
    • Organic Catering- Private Standards
    • Certified Products- Private Standards
    • DAFM Funding
  • IOA Members
    • Directory of Certified Organic Operators
    • Application Forms (Farmer)
    • Application Forms (Processor & Retailer)
    • Farmer Forms
    • Processor Forms
  • Certification
    • Farmers and Growers
    • Processors and Retailers
    • Organic Health & Beauty – Private Standards
    • Organic Catering – Private Standards
    • Certified Products – Private Standards
    • IOA Organic Food and Farming Standards
  • Organic Matters Magazine
  • Forms
    • Farmer Forms
    • Processor Forms
    • Application Forms (Farmer)
    • Application Forms (Processor & Retailer)
  • EIP
    • MOPS Videos
  • Find Organic produce
  • News
  • Contact Us

Extension to lands under the Organic Farming Scheme

24 February 2016 By IOA Webmaster

IOA raised concerns with the DAFM that the current scheme does not allow the farmer to bring in additional lands under the new OFS terms and conditions, this condition has now been removed. Iofga are pleased to inform you that all current OFS participants may bring in additional lands under their current OFS contract, ie does not require another OFS to open to bring new new lands if you are already in the OFS.

It is important to note however that:

  • OFS participants who are finishing their OFS contract in 2016 will not be eligible to add land to their existing contract – this is because the rules require that land can only be added   in Years 1-4 of a contract;
  • OFS participants who are finishing their OFS contract in 2017 will only be eligible to add land to their existing contract under Section 11a – this is because land that is brought in under Section 11b must be held under contract for at least two years and therefore may only be added in Years 1-3;
  • OFS participants who are finishing their OFS contract in 2018 are eligible to add land to their existing contract under Section 11a and Section 11b.

All OFS participants will be advised that the revised Terms and Conditions will be available on the Departments website.

Section 11 of the Terms and Conditions of Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of OFS 2015 will now read as follows: 

  1. Adding Land to an Existing OFS Contract

Where additional land is acquired in the course of an approved contract and it is desired to bring this into payment the following will operate:

  1. Where the additional land is already under contract with another OFS participant, the participant may apply to transfer this land to their existing OFS contract. This must be done by submitting   an Application Amendment Form (OFS 1 AM) to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford any time between 1st January of the year in question and the closing date that year for BPS applications (at the latest). Applications to bring such additional land under contract may only be submitted in years one, two, three or four of the applicant’s original contract.  Payment on this eligible additional land will only be considered if the land is included  in the participant’s organic licence  from 1 January of the relevant year in which case a full year payment will be made; part-year payments will not be made.
  2. Where the additional land is not already under contract with another OFS participant and is being converted for the first time, or is in process of conversion, or has completed conversion within the calendar year prior to the date of application herein, the participant may apply to add this land to their existing OFS contract. This must be done by submitting an Application Amendment Form (OFS 1 AM) to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford any time between 1st January of the year in question  and the closing date that year for BPS applications (at the latest). Applications to bring such additional land under contract may only be submitted in years one, two or three of the applicant’s original contract. Payment on this eligible additional land will only be considered if the land is included in the participant’s organic licence from 1 January of the relevant year in which case a full year payment will be made; part-year payments will not be made.
  3. It is important to note that if the additional land has already been converted to organic production and has completed conversion prior to the timeframe specified in 11b above i.e. has completed conversion within the calendar year prior to the date of application herein, and is not already under contract with another OFS participant,  then such land is ineligible for addition to an existing  OFS contract. Such land can only be brought into payment by way of a separate contract, which in turn can only issue in response to a general call for new applications.

NOTE: Land cannot be added to an existing OFS contract in year 5.

 

 

Filed Under: General, Policy

IOA one of the 68 organisation who support the All Ireland Pollinator Plan

21 September 2015 By IOA Webmaster

The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 was published on September 17th, IOA is one of the 68 organisations who have come together with a strategy to address pollinator decline and protect pollination services. The initiative has generated huge support and has culminated in agreement to deliver 81 actions to make Ireland more pollinator friendly.

To read the full plan click here

 

 

Filed Under: General, Policy

Organic farming scheme and GLAS – closing date May 22nd

6 May 2015 By IOA Webmaster

IOA would like to inform potential new applicants to the Organic Farming Scheme that May 22nd is the closing date in order to ensure priority access to GLAS as an organic farmer. IOA were notified by the Department that Organic Farmers who apply for GLAS will get priority access to the Scheme under Tier 1(b) provided that they have registered with an Organic Control Body on or before the GLAS closing date of 22nd May 2015. This ‘priority’ is not currently displayed on the GLAS on-line application system as the cross-check will only be carried out after the GLAS closing date.

Filed Under: Policy

5 new schemes opened including the Organic Farming Scheme

27 April 2015 By IOA Webmaster

The Minister has opened 5 new schemes. Agriland reports on the new schemes, to read more click on the link below, the Organic Farming Scheme is listed at no 5.

http://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/5-new-schemes-every-farmer-should-know-about/

Filed Under: Policy

IOA welcomes opening of Organic Farming Scheme

21 April 2015 By IOA Webmaster

Minister Hayes opened the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) today. IOA are delighted with the 60% increase in payment for participants in the scheme. Please note that the OFS will close on May 29th. Existing participants of the OFS have been issued a letter by the Organic Unit of the Department outlining options. For new entrants it is important that you get your applications into IOA as quick as you can.

How to join the scheme:

The OFS is now an online application so in order to join you must complete the following steps

  • Contact IOA for an application form, once this is submitted you will receive your organic licence number (You can download an application form here IOFGA-Application-Form-Farmers-and-Growers3)
  • On receipt of your completed application form IOA will immediately notify the Organic Unit of the Department that you have a licence number
  • All farmers who are not currently using the Department online services must register which you can do by going to http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agfoodinformationpages/
  • Once you have your organic licence number and you have registered online with the Department you can then proceed and complete your online application to join the Organic Farming Scheme using the internet address in the bullet point above.
  • All new entrants must complete the Organic Production course before September 1st. If you have not already done the course please go to the Teagasc website to go on a waiting list http://www.teagasc.ie/organics/

Once we receive your application form, IOA will then send out an inspector to your farm, following this your application will go before our internal certification panel and if everything is in order you will be granted your in-conversion licence. All operators must complete a 2 year conversion period. Two years from your start date you will receive your full organic licence if you are complaint with the organic regulations.

Additional information on Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine website:

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmingsectors/organicfarming/organicsscheme/organicfarmingscheme/

New Organic Farming Scheme Payment Rates

Terms and conditions OFS

Filed Under: Policy

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 6
  • Next Page »
  • Why Choose IOA
  • Join IOA
  • IOA Organic Food and Farming Standards
  • Steps to Organic Certification (Farming)
  • Steps to Organic Certification (Processor)

Address

Irish Organic Association
Unit 13 Inish Carraig
Golden Island
Athlone
Co. Westmeath
Ireland.
N37 N1W4

Contact

Tel: (+353) 090 643 3680
Fax: (+353) 090 644 9005
Email: info@irishoa.ie

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Office hours

Open
Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm.

Closed 1 – 2pm

POLICIES

Data Protection Policy
Privacy Policy

LATEST TWEET

'Biodiversity on your Farm'

@PollinatorPlan

Copyright © 2023 IOA : Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association CLG trading as the Irish Organic Association