The aim of this intervention is to provide support to groups of producers wishing to be recognised as Producer Organisations (POs) in the Fruit and Vegetables (F&V) sector. It also provides support for existing POs in the sector.

Currently, there are four POs in the Irish F&V sector, and the share of fruit and vegetable production marketed by these POs in 2017 was over 70%. Ensuring continued support for existing and new POs will further increase this share and should allow the primary producers to achieve a better position in the value chain.

Both existing and newly recognised POs are required to submit a 5-7-year Operational Programme describing the interventions they will action to achieve their selected objectives. POs must also supply a completed survey of each active farm including details of environmental measures currently in place.

To be recognised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), a PO must:

• • produce fruit or vegetables (excluding potatoes) worth a total Value of Marketed Product of €2.5 million or more;
  • have more than 5 members; and
  • fulfil all EU legislative and national requirements for recognition as a PO.