Irish Organic Association welcomes the re-opening of the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine has re-opened the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme. The scheme offers funding to certified organic businesses who are interested in developing their processing, preparation, grading, packing and storage facilities. The scheme aims to support the further development of Ireland’s organic supply chains and capitalise on the demand for organic produce both at home and abroad. The latest tranche of the scheme will run from Tuesday 1st February 2022 until Thursday 31st March 2022.
Gillian Westbrook, Irish Organic Association CEO, said “It is great to see the re-opening of the Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme alongside the Organic Farming Scheme as part of a coordinated approach to the development and expansion of a dynamic and innovative organic sector in Ireland. With Irish and European organic markets recording double-digit growth over the last 10 years, Ireland needs to be encouraging new and existing organic businesses to develop their capacities so that existing markets can be reinforced and new markets secured”.
She added, “The Irish Organic Association has consistently called for reliable policy support frameworks that allow organic farmers and food businesses to plan for the future and be ready to exploit these green growth opportunities. This also includes ensuring an ambitious implementation of Ireland’s National Organic Strategy, aligned to the goals and objectives of the EU’s Organic Action Plan, and driven by a partnership between the organic sector, government and enterprise that responds to societal expectations for greater sustainability”.