A Citizens’ Assembly is currently examining how Ireland can tackle the issue of Biodiversity Loss across different sectors including agriculture. The Irish Organic Association has already made a submission to the Assembly highlighting the merits of organic farming for biodiversity protection and enhancement. Members are encouraged to make their own individual submissions as well. [Read more…]

On Saturday July 16th, Mary Lynch will run an Agri- Environment Training Scheme (AETS) course for farmers. It will be held in Ballykisteen Hotel, Limerick Junction in Co. Tipperary.

Date:  Saturday 16^th July 10 -5 pm

Morning Session inside

Afternoon Session – on farm

Course objectives- Update on CAP 2023 and New Schemes including Organic Farming Scheme, ACRES, BISS, Ecoscheme, CRISS etc.

Farmers get paid €156 for their attendance

To Book Contact Mary directly on tel: 087 2434365

Limerick Tipperary Organic Producer Group

Organic Farm Walk

On Thursday 16^th June at 6.30pm

On the farm of

Pat O’ Connor, Newcastle, Co. Tipperary

Looking at stockless organic tillage production and using fertility building crops

In attendance will be

John Geraghty Conservation Tillage and soil expert

Johnny Flahavan from Flahavans Oats

Representative from Fruithill Farm, Organic seed suppliers

For info and to book a  place contact Mary Lynch 087 2434365

 

In light of the impacts of Brexit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the Irish horticulture sector, the DAFM has launched two schemes that target horticulture producers. Both schemes are open for a limited period, with further details outlined below.

Horticulture Exceptional Payment Scheme (HEPS)

Deadline: midnight Friday 24th June 2022.

HEPS is an exceptional scheme with aims to support growers deemed to be most affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine with a once-off payment designed to ensure their short-term security. The scheme is open to growers of glasshouse high-wire crops (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers), mushrooms, field vegetables (eligible crops listed in T&Cs Appendix 1) and apples for the dessert, culinary and processing markets.

For growers to qualify they must be able to demonstrate an annual turnover of €50,000 or more based on their latest set of accounts, be registered with the DAFM and have submitted a BPS application in 2022. Organic growers should provide evidence that they are a certified organic horticulture producer.

Payments to growers of high-wire crops, field vegetables and apples will be made on an area basis (per hectare) for crops being grown in 2022, while payments for mushrooms will be based on the quantity (weight in kg) sold over the period from 1st January 2022 to 30th April 2022. Payment will be capped at €100,000 per beneficial owner.

Completed applications accompanied with the necessary documentation must be emailed (HEPS@agriculture.gov.ie) or posted to the DAFM by midnight 24th June 2022.

Full details, including application forms, are available here.

Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector

Deadline: 5pm Friday 1st July

This Scheme is targeted at potato growers who specialise in growing seed potatoes to be placed on the market. It provides grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy and other technology adoption specific to the potato sector.

Capital grant aid will be supported at a rate of up to 40% of all approved investments, with qualifying young farmers receiving up to 60%. Support is based on a minimum investment of €10,000 up to €500,000 (excluding VAT).

Completed applications accompanied with the necessary documentation must be submitted in hard copy by Friday 1st July 2022 to the DAFM. Emailed applications will not be accepted.

Full details, including application forms, are available here.

The Irish Organic Association met with the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski on Monday and discussed the potential of developing the organic sector in Ireland to realise its target of 7.5%. The meeting was held on Rathvale Organic Farm which is owned by Eddie and Swantje Kiernan. Market potential and public procurement were some of issues discussed by Gillian Westbrook and Commissioner Wojciechowski. The Kiernan family explained their crop production and the markets they supply.

The Irish Organic Association would sincerely like to thank Eddie and Swantje and their children Conor, Brian, Saoirse and Gearoid for the hospitality and welcome!

Minister Hackett, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski and Gillian Westbrook CEO of the Irish Organic Association.