Farmers could be paid up to €250/ha under the revamped Organic Farming Scheme in the next CAP.

A five-fold increase in funding for the new scheme is aimed at attracting in excess of 4,500 new farmers into organics.

A proposed plan, detailing the higher payment rates, has been submitted to the European Commission for approval.

The new payment rate is a significant increase from the current rate, which is typically €220/ha in the two-year conversion phase and €170/ha in full organic status, with higher frontloaded payments applicable to horticulture and tillage farmers.

Budget of €256m

Armed with a budget of €256m, the Department of Agriculture is aiming to grow the utilisable agricultural area from the current level of 2% to 7.5% over the lifetime of the next CAP.

With Teagasc national farm survey data this week showing suckler farmers to be dependent on direct supports for 138% of their income, the new scheme is likely to appeal to many within the sector.