IFA Countryside

IFA Countryside is dedicated to defending the interests of those who actively enjoy the Irish countryside.

IFA Countryside
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

countryside

RE-OPENING OF ORGANIC FARM SCHEME

RE-OPENING OF ORGANIC FARM SCHEME

  • February 3, 2021
  • countrysideEnvironmentFoodRural Ireland

IFA Organic Project Team Chairman, Nigel Renaghan has welcomed Minister of State Pippa Hackett’s announcement that the Organic Farming Scheme will re-open.The scheme is due to re-open in the first week of March subject to EU Commission approval. It will increase the number of organic farmers by up to 30% in Ireland.  “We were unequivocal at our AGM last week – the Department must execute this scheme correctly. We are meeting with the Minister later this week to discuss it further,” he said.

Nigel Renaghan said, “The scheme last re-opened in November 2018 for four weeks. 75% of applicants were refused admission due to a flawed points-based system which discriminated against smaller land-based applicants. The re-opened scheme must be properly administered; we cannot have a situation where so many farmers are rejected again”.

“IFA has lobbied extensively for the rejected applicants of the previous scheme who continued to farm organically, despite remaining outside the scheme. The Minister’s commitment to prioritising these farmers is positive. There has to be an acknowledgement that these farmers have been farming organically for the last two years with no payment. They should receive the conversion rate of payment for two years from the time they enter into the scheme.”

Ireland has one of the lowest organic farming levels in the EU, with just 2% of land under organic production, compared to an EU average of 8%. Government support is needed if this number is to increase, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy.

The organic sector is currently under-resourced with investment, research and advisory services. There has to be a balance between the supply and demand for organic produce to maintain farm-gate prices.

 

February 3, 2021

Recent Posts

  • Coillte confirms to IFA They’re not Working on Any Further Partnerships with Funds
  • Funding for locally led biodiversity projects doubled to €3m
  • NPWS seeks information on White-tailed Eagle found dead in Cavan 
  • Trim Co. Meath announced as Ireland’s Tidiest Town for 2022
  • Motorists urged to be vigilant during deer breeding season

Categories

  • Angling
  • aquaculture
  • Biodiversity
  • Biology
  • Bogs
  • Broadband
  • Climate
  • Coillte Licences
  • Community
  • Conservation
  • countryside
  • Crime
  • DAFM
  • Deer
  • Deer Hunting
  • DEER LICENCES
  • DEER STALKING
  • Disease
  • Dogs
  • Duck
  • Ecology
  • Environment
  • FBD
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Game
  • Gardening
  • Grants
  • Gun Clubs
  • Habitats
  • HCAP
  • Heritage
  • Horses
  • IWTF
  • Lead shot
  • Littering
  • Lobbying
  • Member Benefits
  • Mental Health
  • NPWS
  • Open Seasons
  • Organic
  • Peat Harvesting
  • Pheasants
  • Project Ireland
  • Rural Development
  • Rural Economy
  • Rural Ireland
  • Rural Security
  • Rural Services
  • Security
  • Shooting
  • Sustainability
  • Trapping
  • Uncategorized
  • Vermin Control
  • Walking
  • Walking Trails
  • Walkways
  • Water
  • weather
  • wildlife management
  • Home
  • Countryside News
  • countryside

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982

Connect With Us

  • Irish Farmers’ Association
  • Download the new IFA App
  • IFA Member Services
  • AgriApps.ie
  • SmartFarming
  • Privacy Statement

© 2023 IFA Countryside

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
  • Home
  • Membership
  • About Us
  • Countryside News
  • Insurance
  • Campaigns
  • Training
  • 0818 924 982
This website uses cookies. We use cookies to personalise your web experience and to analyse our traffic.
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPTREJECT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT