The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) has launched a new scheme to promote the sowing of multi-species swards. The DAFM aims to encourage up to 12,000ha of multi-species sward being sown by Summer/Autumn 2022, subject to farmer uptake and seed availability. Some key elements of the scheme include:

• Farmers can plant up to 20 hectares with a minimum area of 1 hectare supported
• The payment rate is €50 per 12kg bag of seed mixture purchased from a participating Co-op/Agri Retailer (Farmers accepted into the scheme will receive a discounted price on the seed purchased)
• The parcels in which the multi-species sward is to be sown must also be declared on the farmer’s 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS)
• To qualify for support under the scheme, the multi-species sward mixture (including 6 species) must be purchased from a participating Co-op/Agri-retailer by 31st August 2022 (once the farmer is accepted onto the scheme)
• Farmers can register for the scheme up until Kāmra midnight 14th April 2022 via Agfood.ie

The DAFM will publish a list of participating Co-op/Agri-retailers as soon as possible on the Department’s website. Agri-retailers/Co-ops can submit an expression of interest to the DAFM to participate in the scheme (see link below). Farmers are encouraged to carefully read the terms and conditions to ensure that they are fully aware of the scheme’s specific requirements. Further information is available here.

Please note organic farmers should source organic seed, if it is not available then a derogation must be sought before sowing. Organic seed availability should be checked HERE

Agri-retailers-Co-ops Expression of Interest form

The Irish Organic Association are hosting an information webinar on joining the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) on Tuesday March 8th at 7.30pm. The Irish Organic Association will cover the required paperwork to join the OFS. The webinar will include a panel of experienced organic farmers available to answer your questions on the night.

To attend simply email info@irishoa.ie and include your name and the word webinar. Alternatively text the word organic followed by your name and email address to 51444 and we will sign you up to attend.

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 1^st  February 2022 until Thursday 31^st 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”.

The Department of Agriculture Food and Marine today announced its plans to re-open the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) on 9^th February 2022. The scheme is part of the government efforts to have at least 7.5% of Irish farmland under organic production as set out in the Programme for Government. It seeks to capitalise on the growing demand for organic food both in Ireland and other European countries. Farmers and growers who are interested in conversion can sign up with the Irish Organic Association before applying to the scheme up until Friday 8th April.

Gillian Westbrook, Irish Organic Association CEO, said “The Irish Organic Association welcomes the Department’s plans to re-open the organic farming scheme as a means of incentivising and supporting farmers interested in converting to organic farming. This also sends a clear message to food business of the potential green growth opportunities through increased supply of home-grown organic produce as Irish and EU demand continues to increase year-on-year.”

She added, “Organic market trends both in Ireland and the EU clearly speak for themselves, with Bord Bia reporting sustained growth between 2015 and 2020, which is projected to continue. However, for Irish organic farmers and food business to take advantage of these trends, the Irish Organic Association wants to see a clear and concerted effort between the government, the organic sector, Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish food industry to win those markets and develop organic value chains both at home and abroad, backed by a strong package of measures under the CAP Strategic Plan due in 2023.”

Notes:

For further comment please contact Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association at 087 -7819967, or by email at gillian.westbrook@irishoa.ie

Farmers interested in conversion can contact the Irish Organic Association on 090 643 3680 or email info@irishoa.ie to talk through the process with a member of our friendly team, who will send you an information pack. As well as certification the Irish Organic Association also provides several services to its member including support during the conversion period through our Field Talk Programme and the provision of technical information and regular updates on the latest organic developments in Ireland and Europe. Further details are available through our website.

The Organic Farming Scheme is operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, and provides financial support to farmers to encourage the production of organic foods and is planned to open on Wednesday 9^th February 2022. Applicants must be registered with an approved organic certification body such as the Irish Organic Association before applying. Further information on the 2022 Organic Farming Scheme, terms and conditions, can be found here.

2021 reporting from Bord Bia estimated that the Irish organic market was valued at approximately €235m in 2020, with an annual growth rate of about 9% between 2015 and 2020. Bord Bia commissioned research also shows that these positive trends are expected to continue over the next five years. According to the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Ireland’s four main export destinations namely; UK, Germany, France and Italy represented over two-thirds of the EU organic food retail sales in 2019.

 

 

In November 2021 Bord Bia presented information on the Evolving Organic Market – Ireland and Overseas. To view the presentation please click on the link below.

The Evolving Organic Market