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There can be no justification for a country that prides itself on its Origin Green strategy to be such an underperformer in the organics sector, ICSA organics chair Fergal Byrne has said.
He called on the Minister for Agriculture, Barry Cowen, to give an assurance that the Organics Scheme will roll over into 2021.
“Ireland now has over 1,700 organic farmers and the focus must be on building those numbers. The current Organics Scheme comes to an end for most participants at the end of this year, and ICSA is looking for a commitment that the scheme will continue and be improved upon,” Byrne said.
Meaningful expansion
The EU Farm to Fork strategy established an EU wide target of 25% to be set aside for organic farming by 2030. The ICSA has said the organics sector needs considerable new investment if it is to expand in any meaningful way.
The last call for applications under the Organics Scheme prioritised the tillage, dairy and horticulture sectors, while beef and sheep farmers were side-lined
The ICSA wants to see farmers from all sectors given the opportunity to move to organic farming and the necessary support to do so.
“The last call for applications under the Organics Scheme prioritised the tillage, dairy and horticulture sectors, while beef and sheep farmers were sidelined” Byrne said.
“We are proposing that increasing the payment per hectare to €250 is warranted for full symbol organic farmers, with a conversion payment of €300/ha for those transitioning to organics. This would both encourage farmers to switch their systems and give them the best opportunity to succeed with the scheme.”
Protein premium
The ICSA has said the protein premium for whole crop beans of €100/ac must also be revisited. The current payment for protein crops is said to be too limiting and out of step with the current practices of organic farmers.
ICSA is proposing that both mixed cropping and combi crops with pea, barley and oat mixes be included under protein payments.
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