Press release
Minister Hackett announces commencement of 2023 Organic Scheme Payments
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, announced today that more than €33 million is issuing to over 3200 farmers as the 2023 advance payments for the Organic Farming Scheme begin. The scheme supports the ambitions set out in Ireland’s Food Vision 2030 Strategy, contributes directly to the achievement of the objectives of Ireland’s 2023-2027 CAP Strategic Plan, and makes an important contribution to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to see the area farmed organically reach 10% by 2030.
The Minister said:
“In the past couple of years, there has been significant interest and growth in the organic sector, and we are very firmly focused on delivering the Climate Action Plan target of 10% of land farmed organically by 2030. These payments are vital to provide the necessary support for maintenance and conversion to organic farming. I would also remind farmers that the scheme is currently open for new applications until 15 December, and I would strongly encourage anyone who wishes to apply to do so now.”
Minister Hackett noted the activities of her department in fulfilling a very full schedule of events and engagements to date in 2023 to support the organic sector, including:
2023 Advance Payments:
These advance payments amount to 85% of the full annual payment offered under the Organic Farming Scheme. The subsequent 15% balancing payment is expected to be made in Spring 2024.
At present, there are approximately 4,000 organic farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme.
Approximately 180,000 hectares are currently under organic production.
The Organic Division in DAFM can be contacted on 053 91 63400, or by email at: organic@agriculture.gov.ie
The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a partnership between society and agriculture that ensures a stable supply of food, safeguards farmers’ income, protects the environment and keeps rural areas vibrant. EU countries implement the CAP at national level with a CAP Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027.
The Organic Farming Scheme is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU.
For more information, visit www.gov.ie/cap.
To illustrate the increased level of supports a payments calculator has been developed for farmers and is available at https://cap-calculators.apps.rhos.agriculture.gov.ie/
This calculator displays the value for each farmer of converting to organic.
The Scheme will be open to applications from all sectors until 15 December 2023.
A guide to the Organic Farming Scheme application process and a FAQ document is available on the department’s website to assist potential applicants at: Organic Farming Scheme.
A chatbot is available on agfood.ie to answer frequently asked questions on organic farming.
Teagasc have developed a series of new Organic Factsheets to give information to farmers considering organic enterprise options. In addition, a new guide “Organic Farming – A Step-by-Step Guide to Conversion” has been developed and is available on the Teagasc website.
Copies of the Organic Farming Scheme terms and conditions are available on the department's organics page at Organic Farming Scheme.
For a 40ha drystock farmer total payment over the 5 years of the organic farming scheme will be 54% higher than under the previous CAP.
The overall objective of the Organic Farming Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.
A total budget of €256 million has been allocated to the OFS over the lifetime of the new CAP.