This is a subscriber-only article
Farmers in Laois received the highest average payment from the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which was issued to farmers this week.
On average, they were paid €6,287.06, followed collectively by Dublin, Louth and Carlow farmers - who were bunched together in one group - who received €6,069.19.
A total of €5.5m hit bank accounts of the 1,200 organic farmers participating in the scheme.
The advance payment consisted of 85% of the full payment due. Balancing payments of 15% will be paid in 2021 in accordance with EU rules.
Another year
There are currently 1,530 participants in the OFS and some 72,000ha under organic production.
“The additional €4m provided in the budget allows us to reopen a new Organic Farming Scheme in 2021 to new entrants, which will support 400 to 500 more farmers to go organic,” Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture Pippa Hackett said.
“The demand from consumers toward organic production is growing at home and abroad. Organic farming supports nature-friendly farming practices and reduced emissions, helping us to meet climate and biodiversity targets.”
SHARING OPTIONS: