Press release
Minister Hackett announces development of new National Strategy for Organics
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, today announced the development of a new five-year National Strategy for the organic food and drink sector in Ireland. The current National Organic Strategy was developed in 2019 and runs to 2025 and the new Strategy will plan the development for the sector to 2030.
Speaking today Minister Hackett stated:
“This government has already demonstrated that we’ve the highest level of ambition for the Irish organic sector. We’ve put in place the biggest supports for organic farming in Ireland with a five-fold increase in the organic farming scheme budget. This has already led to a rapid expansion of the Irish organic sector with a doubling of organic farmers in the last 12 months. This growth will continue as we open the scheme again to new entrants. Last week I also announced a new €1.7 million grant scheme for the organic processing sector.
"We have seen great progress as a result of the actions outlined in the current strategy to 2025 and the work of the Organic Strategy Forum. It’s important now that we maintain momentum and coordinate all links in the supply chain from farmer to retailer into a new National Strategy to further drive the development of the sector.
“For this reason, I have tasked the Organic Forum, under its Chair Mr. Padraig Brennan with developing this new Strategy and presenting it to Government in Q1 2024. The Forum is an excellent cross-representation of the sector including farm organisations, retailers, processors and relevant State Agencies including Bord Bia and Teagasc and all have their part to play in developing the new Strategy.”
Padraig Brennan, Chairperson of the Organic forum added:
“With significant growth anticipated in Irish organic supplies it is timely to review the organic sector strategy to ensure the right supports are in place to optimise the value of the Irish organic food sector in the period to 2030. I look forward to working with Minister Hackett and the Organic Strategy Forum over the coming months to develop an ambitious strategy to deliver a highly co-ordinated organic supply chain that can supply growing market demand both in Ireland and key export markets.”
Minister Hackett concluded:
“I want to thank the members of the Strategy Forum that continue to work to strengthen the position of Organics in the marketplace and who will take ownership of this important task. There will be an opportunity for public consultation during the development of the strategy and I look forward to the input of all our stakeholders. It is critical that the new 5-year National Strategy capitalises on the gains of the previous years and ensures organics continues to be a viable option for Irish farmers."
The current Strategy for the development of the Organic sector 2019 to 2025 is available below.
Review of Organic Food Sector and Strategy for its Development 2019-2025
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The Organic Strategy Forum membership includes the following representatives:
- Julie Roche, Agricultural Consultants Association
- John Brennan, An Talamh Beo
- Paddy Purcell, Arrabawn
- Stephen Blewitt, Aurivo
- Padraig Fahy, Beechlawn Organic Farm
- Emmet Doyle, Bord Bia
- Catherine Morrison, Bord Iascaigh Mhara
- Jack Nolan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- Annie Flahavan, Flahavans
- Emma Walls, Glenisk
- Alisha Ryan, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association
- Fergal Byrne , Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association
- Teresa Morrissey, Irish Farmers Association Aquaculture
- Kathryn Roche, Irish Country Meats
- John Curran, Irish Farmers Association
- Henry O’Donnell, Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association
- Gillian Westbrook, Irish Organic Association
- Gillian Richardson, Macra na Feirme
- Sean McGloin, National Organic Training Skillnet
- Dermot Callaghan, Office of Government Procurement
- Stephen Connolly, Organic Trust
- Elaine Leavy, Teagasc
- John Purcell, The Good Herdsmen
- Niamh Parlon, Tirlan
- Conor Mulhall, The Little Milk Company