The new National Organic Strategy for 2024-2030 has today been launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., and Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett.
The key strategic priorities of the Strategy include:
• Supporting Organic Farming Participation;
• Coordinating the Value Chain;
• Growing the Domestic Market;
• Driving Export Growth;
• Expanding Public Procurement; and
• Boosting Skills and Support.
Speaking at the launch at the National Ploughing Championships in County Laois, Minister McConalogue said:
“I committed €256 million to organic farming in the new CAP Strategic Plan, and it is rewarding to see that investment already beginning to bear fruit. We also recently saw this acknowledged by the Climate Change Advisory Council report, which praised the Government’s commitment to organic farming. The Organic forum, led by Padraig Brennan, has produced a Strategy that is balanced and credible, which identifies a significant opportunity for Ireland in moving to a position of world leadership in organic farming.”
Minister McConalogue, continued:
“I welcome the focus on ensuring that organic farmers, fishers and food producers are competitive and productive, with enhanced well-being and economic sustainability. The incomes of our producers are central and critical to the success of our Strategy, as they are the bedrock of our world-class organic agri-food sector. The Strategy recognises the crucial role organic farming has and will continue to play in rural and coastal communities, and in achieving balanced regional development for the country as a whole. Ireland is the sustainable food capital of the world, and this strategy is a key part of Food Vision 2030, which underlines the important linkages between food and health and nutrition, and the fundamental importance of food safety and quality in achieving a premium position in key markets. I am delighted that the Government endorses and supports the strategy, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders in its implementation.”
Senator Pippa Hackett, followed:
“Today’s launch of the National Organic Strategy is a significant milestone in the continued development of the sector. I would like to thank the members of the Organic Strategy Forum and its Chair Padraig Brennan for all of their work on the Strategy, and indeed for everything they’ve done over the past number of years to grow and promote the sector. Since 2021 we have seen unprecedented growth in organic farming in Ireland, and our aim now is to reach 10% of land being farmed organically by 2030. We have an ambitious aim in this Strategy to treble the wholesale value of organic output to €750 million by 2030, which will ultimately benefit the thousands of Irish farmers who have converted to organics in recent years. Organic farming is embedded in government policy, through Food Vision 2030, the CAP Strategic Plan, the Climate Action Plan, the new Green Public Procurement Strategy and the increased investment by Bord Bia and Teagasc in supporting organic food production. A key element of our ambition is to increase organic processing capacity, and this year we doubled the support available and increased the grant rate significantly in response to the growing demand for Irish organic produce. Organic farming delivers for climate, water quality, biodiversity and soil; we have made huge strides over the first half of this decade and this Strategy sets out the roadmap to do even more between now and 2030.”
Padraig Brennan, chair of the Organic Forum, concluded:
“The Strategy sets out a clear vision for the sector, supported by six strategic priorities and 51 actions that span the full value chain, from farming and food production through to trade customers and consumers, aimed at driving significant growth in the value of organic farming and food production.
The implementation plan clearly outlines the responsibilities of each stakeholder to ensure the delivery of our collective ambitions. This will drive the work programme of the Organic Forum in the period ahead, and ensure that we position the organic sector strongly in Ireland, and, increasingly, in export markets.”
The National Organic Strategy for 2024-2030 can be viewed on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.
For more related information, check out the Farm Viability section of the CAP Network Ireland website or read about our Organics Pilot which is being undertaken as part of the work of the Innovation Hub.
Image source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
