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
    • Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme
  • 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)
  • Find Organic Products
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
  • News
  • Research & Reports
  • Contact Us

Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) Now Open

19 April 2023 By IOA Webmaster

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…]

Filed Under: General, Press Releases

Multi-species Sward and Red Clover Silage Measures Launched April 12th

19 April 2023 By IOA Webmaster

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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: General, Press Releases

Huge interest in the Organic Farming Scheme

8 November 2022 By IOA Webmaster

There has been unprecedented interest among farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme which opened two weeks ago.

Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association stated that “we anticipate a surge in applications based on the number of farmers who attended our Organic Workshops and webinars over the past few weeks. Prior to this large crowds of farmers attended all the organic events that took place nationally indicating the level of interest out there.

The Irish Organic Association has been inundated with questions from farmers about what they need to do to convert their farms and join the Organic Farming Scheme. In response we have compiled an extensive list of some of the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on our website, hopefully this resource will be useful to farmers currently considering their options and it really makes for essential reading if you are planning on joining the Organic Farming Scheme,” said Westbrook. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Press Releases

Organic Farming Scheme opens today March 1st – closes April 30th

1 March 2021 By IOA Webmaster

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett today announced the reopening of the Organic Farming Scheme for new applications from farmers. The reopening, is expected to result in an increase of up to 30% in the number of farmers farming organically in Ireland this year.

The Scheme will be open to applications from all sectors from today  (1st March) and it will remain open until the 30th April 2021. The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environment measure under the Department’s Rural Development Programme. Farmers entering the scheme could qualify for yearly payments of up to €220 per hectare during the conversion period and up to €170 per hectare when they have achieved full organic status. Higher payment rates are available for organic horticulture and tillage farmers.

Encouraging farmers to apply for the Scheme, the Minister added, “I believe that the significant level of funding provided for this new Scheme will facilitate the entry of 400-500 new farmers into the organic farming system. This should allow scope for plenty of successful applications from all types of enterprises and I would encourage farmers in all sectors to consider applying.”

The Minister continued, “The scheme and funding are closely aligned to the targets in the National Organic Farming Strategy to 2025 and will help us deliver on them. In the event of the scheme being oversubscribed, I will be prioritising those sectors for which most market demand exists, namely the dairy, horticulture and tillage sectors, but I also want to encourage young farmers to convert to organic farming so I will be making provision in the selection process to achieve this too. I have also ensured that farmers who were not successful in gaining entry to the previous scheme, but who have continued to farm organically, have their commitment acknowledged, through priority access.”

Applications for the scheme must be made online through the Department’s online system agfood.ie. The Minister concluded, “The application process itself is quite simple and straightforward. There is a wealth of information and guidance available to farmers through my Deportment, Teagasc and the organic certification bodies. Farmers of course should also speak directly with their own advisor if considering joining the scheme. I would encourage every farmer to inform themselves of the opportunities here and to give it fill consideration.”

Filed Under: Press Releases

How a European and DAFM funded project is showing tangible benefits for organic growers – IOA Column Farming Independent

29 July 2020 By IOA Webmaster

This month’s Irish Organic Association column in the Farming Independent explores how the MOPS project has benefited organic growers. To read the article CLICK HERE

Filed Under: General, Press Releases

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 28
  • 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

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