New seven-year strategy has potential to kickstart growth in the organic sector

In the face of climate change and Brexit, organic farming offers new opportunities, writes Grace Maher

IRELAND currently has just The under third 2pc tranche of farmers of the Orcertified ganic Farming organic, Scheme equating (OFS) to under approximately the Rural Development 72,000ha of Programme land certified opened organic. for one month As the at Irish the end Organic of 2018. It Association is still too early regularly to determine points how many out in farmers this column, applied, this and lags were well accepted below into the this European current tranche. average One of observa6pc, with tion that some can countries be made, as is that high in recent as 20pc. years Countries people who with convert greater to organic numbers farming of organic are making farmers informed naturaldecisions and have clearly done ly have more developed organic their homework. markets. Globally the Farmers organic are market researching is currently technical valued organic at €106bn production — this methods, is projected including to livestock rise to €224bn management, by 2022. arable cropping, On January organic 29, regulations Minister Andrew and standards, Doyle and launched of course a new market seven-year requirements strategy and for specifications. the development Much of the this organic information sector is in learned Ireland. by The visiting strategy existing covers organic the farmperiod ers at open 2019-2025, days and farm incorporates walks run by industry-led organisations such as the Irish Organic proposals and an extensive public consultation, under chairperson Martin Heraghty. Welcomed by stakeholders, the strategy contains sectoral and cross-sectoral recommendations to facilitate development and meet projected market demands. The combination of Government support to meet various policy objectives and sustained market growth has successfully driven the organic market throughout the EU.

Gillian Westbrook, Irish Organic Association CEO, and a member of the strategy group, stressed that “the potential for Irish organic farmers and businesses are varied and extensive. Currently the sector is small and regionally clustered, so it was important to come together and develop a cohesive strategy to enable growth.

“Uncertainties associated with Brexit means that agriculture needs to innovate and look at all market opportunities. Climate change is a central challenge and organic farming is certainly one tool by which to mitigate our emissions from agriculture. In addition, organic farming delivers on ecosystem services and the concept of public money for public goods remains at the heart of agricultural policy in Europe,” she said.

The strategy report identified strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for organic food and farming. There are also a number of targets such as doubling the hectarage of organic cereals and pulses. Increasing the land area under horticulture by 50pc, and allowing for an annual increase of 10pc in organic dairy production. In livestock there are targets to double beef production and to stabilise organic sheep markets. A range of cross-sectoral actions are also identified to support development.

The OFS has successfully attracted the maximum number of entrants in each of the three tranches opened.

Limited by budgetary constraints it has increased the land area under organic production from 46,000ha to 72,000ha. The implementation of this new strategy offers a blueprint in how to further develop the sector.

Grace Maher is development officer with the Irish Organic Association email: grace.maher@irishoa.ie.