Publication
Organic Farming
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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- 1. What Organic Farming is
- 2. An overview of Organic Farming
- 3. Converting to organic production methods
- 4. Regulation of the organic sector
- 5. National Irish Organic Strategy 2024 to 2030
- 6. Organic Demonstration Farm Walks Promotional Video (Teagasc)
- 7. Organic Farming Scheme
- 8. Organic Processing Investment Grant Scheme
- 9. Organic Seed Database
- 10. Designation of Official Control Laboratories in respect of Organic Produce
- 11. Circulars
- 12. Financial Support
- 13. Further Information
- 14. Current Organic Operator Details
- 15. Register of retailers exempt from holding an Organic Licence
- 16. Application for exemption from holding an organic licence for retailer of Organic Produce
- 17. Organic Imports and Exports
- 18. EU Organic Legislation
- 19. Organic Projects
- 20. Public Consultation on the Draft National Organic Strategy 2025-2030
- 21. Call for Short Supply Chains
- 22. FAQ’s Manufacture and Trade of Compound Feed
Organic farming is a sustainable production system.
It provides the opportunity of an alternative farming system based primarily on balancing inputs and outputs in a 'closed' system. Increased consumer awareness of food safety issues and environmental concerns has contributed to the growth in organic farming over the last few years.
Organic farming requires: the consideration and application of production methods that do not damage the environment; a more respectful use of the countryside; concern for animal welfare and the production of high-quality agricultural products.
Organic agriculture is a farming system which relies on crop rotations, the recycling of farm-produced organic materials, that is, crop residues, animal manure, legumes, green manure and off-farm organic wastes and on a variety of non-chemical methods for the control of pests, diseases and weeds. Synthetically compounded fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives are excluded or severely restricted. The products and methods of genetic engineering are also strictly prohibited.
Organic farmers can access a range of services and information from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
If you are an organic food consumer, the department can help connect you with producers and also understand how this emerging market works. Explore the content below to find out the full list of information available.
Organic Food and Farming Standards in Ireland – Edition 2.03
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Review of Organic Food Sector and Strategy for its Development 2019-2025
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Organic Farming is a specific system of farming whose aim is to produce quality food in a manner beneficial to the environment and to wildlife. Organic farmers practice farming in accordance with standards, which have been formulated for crop and livestock production. The thrust of these standards is to develop a system of farming that co-exists with other systems, sustains soil fertility and protects the environment, wildlife and non-renewable resources.
Organic production and labelling of organic products is controlled by European and national regulations, that is, Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council as amended. The EU legislation allows Member States to use private inspection bodies to carry out the inspection and licensing system of organic operators. certification bodies are approved to carry out this work in Ireland :- Irish Organic Association (IOA), Organic Trust Limited (OT).
• Irish Organic Association (IOA) Website: https://www.irishorganicassociation.ie/
• Organic Trust (OT) www.organictrust.ie
Organic farming involves undergoing a period of conversion in which the land and producer adjust to the organic methods.
The conversion period for the change from conventional to organic farming depends on the type of enterprise which are outlined in the table below:
In certain cases, the conversion period may be extended or reduced by the inspection body subject to the approval of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The time periods required above are initiated by the farmer submitting his/her farming enterprise to inspection and certification by one of the Certification Bodies outlined above.
Prior to commencing conversion, the farmer must submit an application along with a conversion plan, drawn up by either the farmer or a qualified planner to the inspection body for approval. The farm is then inspected by the inspection body who will then adjudicate on the application. For more detailed information on this process, the farmer should contact any of the approved inspection bodies.
After the required conversion period expires, the inspection body may issue organic status to the farmer (unless the conversion period is being extended), which allows the farmer to sell his/her produce as organic.
There is often a financial cost associated with conversion. These costs vary widely according to individual circumstances but would be influenced by some of the following factors:
• output reduction due to changes in production practices
• capital investments in land, machinery, livestock housing
• certification and inspection costs
• loss of some direct support payments, for example: eligibility for livestock headage payments where numbers are reduced, and
• inability to command premium prices during the conversion phase
It is recommended that farmers considering the organic option seek advice on the principles of organic farming.
A major factor that distinguishes organic farming from other approaches to sustainable farming is the existence of internationally acknowledged standards and certification procedures. The standards for organic production within the European Union are defined and enshrined in law by Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council and associated secondary legislation - Implementing and Delegated Acts.
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and its associated secondary legislation , create a framework defining in detail the requirements for agricultural products or foodstuffs bearing a reference to organic production methods. The rules not only define the methods of production for organic crops and livestock, but it also regulates the labelling, processing, inspection and marketing of organic products within the European Community and the importation of organic products from non-member countries.
In Ireland the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is the competent authority (that is, the department's Organic Unit is based at Johnstown Castle Estate, Wexford) for regulating the organic sector and ensuring that the obligations and requirements Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and its associated secondary legislation are adhered to.
National Irish Organic Strategy 2024 to 2030 Implementation Plan
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The Organic Seeds Ireland website is the official Irish database of organic seed availability. The database is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and managed by the Soil Association, working in partnership with FiBL.
The website provides information on organic seeds, vegetative propagation material and seed potatoes. It is designed to be used by organic farmers and growers to find organic seeds. It also helps certification bodies to authorize derogations and seed companies seeking to market certified organic seeds.
If you search the database and find the varieties you need are not available you must seek a derogation from your certification body before purchasing non-organic seeds.
In accordance with EU Regulation 625 of 2017, I wish to formally notify your organisations that the department as the Competent Authority has designated Biolytix Limited and Eurofins Food Testing Ireland Limited as Official Control Laboratories in respect of organic produce.
Circular 2 of 2023 - Obligations on Importers and First Consignees for organic imports from third countries.
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Circular 1 of 2023 OCB Cross Reporting to DAFM and Exchange of Information between OCB’s; Animal Welfare
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Circular 6 of 2021 – Water Quality – Organic Bivalve Molluscs
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Circular 5 of 2021 - Organic Imports, Organic Exports and New Regulations.
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Circular 4 of 2021 – Avian Influenza – Implications of Continued Housing Requirement for Organic Poultry and Egg Producers
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Circular 2 of 2021 - Obligations on Importers and First Consignees for organic imports from third countries
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Circular 01/2021 – Notice to all Organic Control Bodies & Importers/First Consignee
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Circular 1 of 2020 – OCB Cross reporting to DAFM, Exchange of Information between OCB’s and Amendment of Catalogue of Infringements
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The organic sector receives substantial direct financial support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food through the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS)
Organic producers may also qualify for support under the other direct payment and investment schemes, which are open to all farmers. They may also avail of supports offered by various other state agencies, which include amongst others:
Application for exemption from holding an organic licence for retailer of Organic Produce
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To import organic food or feed into Ireland from a Third County (outside the EU) you must be a certified organic importer in Ireland. All imports of organic food or feed that arrive into Ireland from outside EU are subject to specific requirements such as organic certification, TRACES registration, product inspections and possible laboratory analysis.
Step 1: Register with an Organic Control Body (OCB) to receive an organic licence:
Contact one of the below OCB’s and they will guide you through the certification process:
| Irish Organic Association (IOA) |
13 Inish Carraig, Golden Island, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Tel: (0906) 433680, Web: https://www.irishorganicassociation.ie/
| Organic Trust Ltd, |
Unit M4, Naas Town Centre, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare.
Tel: (045) 882377, Web: organictrust.ie
Step 2: Register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Central Registrations Unit (CRU) informing them of your intention to begin importing organic products from third countries.
This can be done by clicking on the following this link Register to Import or Export and following the instructions. Queries with the registration process should be emailed to BrexitRegistration@agriculture.gov.ie and informing them of your intention to begin importing organic products from third countries.
Step 3: Register for The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES)
TRACES is the European Commission’s online platform for sanitary and phytosanitary certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and the intra-EU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products.
If you are trading in live animals or products of animal origin, the operator responsible for the consignment will also need access to the online system TRACES.
Recorded generic TRACES training on on How to create an EU login and Operator Role Request may be helpful and see below login guide.
Here is the link to the Traces Website
Once you have registered on TRACES, the operator’s organic licence should be sent to: organicimports@agriculture.gov.ie
Step 4: Register for the Imports Notification Inspection System (INIS)
The Imports Portal is a simple and fast way to login to Agfood.ie and notify the Department in advance of planned Organic imports from third countries.
The portal can also be used to view submitted declarations and upload additional information/documents that might be required.
Registered Imports Portal link:
Visit Brexit and the Agri-Food Sector for more detail on the import process and how to register.
Step 5: Submit advance notification of any organic consignment arriving into Ireland from third countries via the INIS portal Imports Portal . Please note all advance notifications must be made at least one working day prior to the consignment arriving in Ireland.
For more information, please see circular 01/2024 regarding Organic Control Bodies, Importers, First Consignees and Exporters
Before making the notification please have to hand:
• TRACES NT Certificate of Inspection (COI) details
• Customs Import Declaration details (MRN)
• Required supporting documents
• Username/PIN/Password
• Use case identity (ID) for further correspondence
MRN is issued to the agent when a declaration using the AIS system is completed and uploaded to Revenue’s system. Organic products should be declared by using the code C644 (The MRN will remain at the registered status until arrival in Ireland. Then it will come under Customs control and can be processed.)
No matter what stage the MRN is at you should still get a number once the declaration is made, which can then be used in the INIS system. This declaration can be made well in advance of the goods arriving in Ireland. You need to use code IM “D” which is for an import declaration lodged in advance of arrival.
For further information see key information for exporting goods
As the Competent Authority DAFM wishes to advise importers and first consignees of the requirement to check that there is a valid and endorsed Certificate of Inspection (COI) for each consignment, whereby the status of the COI is ‘consignment verified’.
Importers and first consignees should be aware that following reception of advance notification, DAFM, as Competent Authority, carries out relevant checks and completes Box 30 of the COI, declaring whether the consignment is:
• Clearable – whereby the product is free for circulation as organic
• Clearable as conventional – whereby the consignment is released for free circulation a
• conventional, NOT as organic
• Not clearable – Consignment cannot be released for free circulation in the EU
There is an obligation on the first consignee (company listed in box 24), as set out in Article 13 of Commission Regulation 1235/2008, to complete box 31 of the COI, to certify that:
1. The COI has been validated by the Competent Authority (Box 30)
2. The consignment is in appropriate packaging or container, closed in a manner preventing
substitution
3. There is identification on the consignment that includes details of the exporter and other marks and numbers that identify the lot with the certificate of inspection
Once box 31 of the COI is complete, the first consignee shall then send the original hard copy certificate to the importer mentioned in box 11. Please note that due to COVID-19, there is derogation as regards the obligation to have a paper version of the certificate of inspection. This is set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/977.
Goods cannot be sold as organic until such time as the Certificate of Inspection status is as First Consignee Declaration Signed (Box 31).
The importer must retain the certificate for a period, not less than two years, and make available on the request of the organic control authority or the control body.
The following list of European legislation governs organic imports and is in effect since 1 January 2022.
This is a non-exhaustive list and is intended as a guide only.
Council Regulation 2017/625 (OCR: Official Controls Regulation on food and feed)
Council Regulation 2018/848 (Organic Basic Act)
Organic import legislation
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2307 – Rules on documents and notification
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2325 – Recognised control authorities and third countries
Commission Delegated Regulation(EU) 2021/2305 – Cases where organic products are exempt from BCP controls
Commission Delegated Regulation(EU) 2021/2306 – Official controls on organic imports
In addition, please also be aware that there are additional control requirements on products imported from certain non-EU countries. Details of these additional controls can be found here:
For further information on Import procedures and CHED information can be found here: Registration and Procedures for Import of Plants and Plant Products
New rules relating to the export of organic products from Ireland to Great Britain (GB) will be introduced from February 2027 From that date, organic products exported from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland to Great Britain will require a Certificate of Inspection (COI).
Under the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (IE/NI Protocol) Northern Ireland is treated as an EU Member State in terms of movement of goods. As a result, there is no change to the movement of organic goods to or from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.
To obtain a COI, an exporter must be registered with an Organic Control Body (OCB). In Ireland there are two OCBs; the Irish Organic Association, the Organic Trust and. Exporters must also be registered with the Department of Agriculture Food & the Marine (DAFM) as an organic producer, an exporter, and a food business.
To request a COI, exporters must notify their OCB of their intention to export goods outside the EU. The OCB then checks the information provided including Exporter, First Consignee, Importer, Port of Loading, Destination, Product name, CN codes, weight, manufacturer, Shipping Identification information. Details of the Organic Control Body are also required. If the application meets the requirements, the OCB completes and stamps the COI and returns it to the exporter by post. The turnaround time is normally 24 hours, but this can vary depending on the time the information is submitted, and the quantity of COIs required. A hard copy of the COI must accompany the consignments.
Exporters of organic produce to Great Britain (GB) are required by UK legislation to give advance notice of the arrival of an organic import. The importer is required to use the interim manual GB organic import system to provide notification of the upcoming import. GB importers are also advised to contact the Port Health Authority (PHA) where the consignment is due to arrive to verify what documentation is acceptable.
Specifications and Terms and Conditions for Organic Project Proposals
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Specifications and Terms and Conditions - Call to Develop Premium Irish Markets
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