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- Organic Farm Visit

Published 4 July, 2008 Fingal news , Horticulture , Organics Closed
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4 July 2008

Minister Sargent announced today that he would be bringing a large number of food growers and distributors on a trip to visit a state-of-the-art organic farm in Co. Offaly. The visit will take place on Tuesday, July 15th.

Over a dozen local food producers will join Trevor on an escorted tour of the farm of Philip Dreaper in Birr, Co. Offaly. This farm is extremely highly regarded in the organic fraternity and the envy of farmers north and south, organic and traditional. Transport will be laid on and a very informative and enjoyable day is certain.

If anyone else would like to come along, they can book a place by contacting the office on (01) 607 2361 or by email to lorcan.otoole@agriculture.gov.ie.

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- Sargent launches Action Plan to increase Organic production in Ireland

Published 30 April, 2008 Food news , Organics Closed

30 April 2008

Speaking at the launch of the Organic Farming Action Plan 2008-2012, Mr Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food said that he was committed to achieving the very necessary development of the organic sector in Ireland. The Minister said “the target of 5% of land area in organic production by 2012 set down in the Programme for Government is indeed a challenging target but one that I believe is achievable”.

Minister Sargent said that “the Action Plan was an important development in working towards achievement of the Government’s target”, and he thanked the members of the National Steering Group for their input into the document.

The Action Plan has four main objectives; increase production in line with market trends, increase the knowledge base, develop the organic market at home and abroad, and encourage the development of public procurement opportunities for organic products. There are over 60 actions identified in the Plan.The Minister acknowledged the progress made to date since the establishment of the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector. Since 2005 there has been an increase of over 17% in the area under organic production. The financial incentives to go organic are attractive. The Organic Farming Scheme provides a payment of over €21,500 per year in the two-year conversion period to a farmer with 55 hectares who is also in REPS; the annual payment for this farmer when fully organic is almost €16,000. It would be helpful if farmers already in REPS could take up the new Organic Farming Scheme without having to switch to REPS 4. This problem has been raised with the Commission and I, and my officials, are doing everything we can to progress the matter.

“The National Steering Group will have a crucial role in guiding and overseeing progress on the Action Plan,”Minister Sargent said.“I intend to bring together key industry leaders, opinion makers, agricultural academics with some of Ireland’s top organic farmers and growers to better appreciate what organic farming is and to dispel any misconceptions that may exist”,the Minister added. Continuing, Minister Sargent highlighted some clear benefits of organic farming. It produces more food for each unit of energy input; it facilitates a greater presence of soil microbes and root fungi which ensure better tolerance of very wet and dry soil conditions, while also increasing the retention of carbon in the soil, which is important in the context of climate change; the practice of organic farming increases the availability of essential plant nutrients.
“The Programme for Government 5% target is indeed challenging. I am confident that, with the full support of all stakeholders, implementation of the actions outlined in the Plan will greatly assist in achieving the target”, Minister Sargent concluded.

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- Minister Sargent alerts farmers to 15 May deadline for applications for Organic Farming Scheme

Published 1 April, 2008 Organics Closed
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1 April 2008

 The Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Trevor Sargent T.D., today urged farmers wanting to join the new Organic Farming Scheme in 2008 to have their applications with the Department by 15 May. This deadline arises from new EU Regulations governing the operation of agri-environment schemes, including the Organic Farming Scheme and REPS 4. “The Regulations were clarified in intensive discussions between our officials and their counterparts in the Commission over the past few weeks,” Minister Sargent said, “and it is important that farmers who want to join the Organic Scheme this year are aware of the comparatively tight time-frame within which they must now apply.”

Minister Sargent said that farmers who were coming to the end of existing REPS contracts later this year, and who intended to join the Organic Scheme, should get their applications in by 15 May. “Once we have the applications by 15 May we can process them,” the Minister said, “and farmers will be in a position to receive payment under the new Scheme during 2008.”

The new Commission Regulations also lay down rules for the way in which farmers will be paid under the Organic Farming Scheme:

Payment will be on a calendar year basis; in other words a farmer will be paid for the number of months in the year in which he or she is in the Scheme.

Payment will be in two stages. The first payment, which will be at the rate of 75%, will be released when the administrative checks (both for the Scheme itself and for the Single Payment Scheme) are completed. In practice this is likely to be early autumn.

The remaining 25% will be released when the last of the on-farm inspections for the year has taken place. This is likely to be towards the end of the year, probably December.

All undertakings will have an anniversary date of 1 January.

Minister Sargent emphasised that the new deadline and payment rules applied to all farmers joining the Scheme, whether or not they intended to join REPS 4 as well. He said that his officials would meet the organic certification bodies as soon as possible to explore the practical implications of the changes, particularly with a view to synchronising the start of new organic farmers’ conversion periods as far as possible with their entry into the new Scheme.

Currently REPS 2 and REPS 3 farmers wanting to convert to organics and join the new Organic Farming Scheme must transform to REPS 4. “To facilitate the development of the organic sector in Ireland, and to help achieve the Government’s 5% target, it would be preferable if farmers could remain in REPS 2 or REPS 3 and also participate in the Organic Farming Scheme,” Minister Sargent said. He has asked the relevant officials in his Department to explore the issue with the Commission as a matter of urgency.  

 

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- Teagasc Organic Production Business Plan Welcomed

Published 20 March, 2008 Food news , Organics Closed

20 March 2008

 

Mr. Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, today welcomed the publication by Teagasc of its first Organic Production Business Plan. He was speaking after being presented with the Plan by the Director of Teagasc, Professor Gerry Boyle at a meeting held in the Teagasc office in Oakpark, Co Carlow.

 

“The Business Plan is indeed timely in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to expand the organic sector”, Minister Sargent said. The Programme for Government sets a target to convert a minimum 5% of acreage to organic farmland by 2012. He complemented Teagasc on its commitment to the organic sector and said “the actions outlined in the Plan will be incorporated into the Department’s own Action Plan to achieve the 5% target, which I will publish shortly”.

 

Minister Sargent was pleased that his Department was in a position to support an important initiative in the Business Plan, the production of a DVD on organic farming. “This practical guide will be essential viewing for all interested in learning more about organic production,” he concluded.

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- Minister Sargent Welcomes Outcome of Prosecution for Mislabelling of Oganic Product

Published 6 March, 2008 Food news , Organics Closed
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6 March 2008

 

Mr Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has welcomed today’s successful prosecution of a trader for labelling a non-organic turkey as organic in his shop in Cork’s English Market. The prosecution was brought by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulations 2004.

 

Marc O’Mahony, who traded as The Organic Shop at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty today in Cork District Court. Judge David Riordan find O’Mahony €2,500 and awarded costs of €2,000 to the Department.


“I am very pleased with the outcome,” Minister Sargent said. “It will serve as a warning to other traders who try to flout these Regulations that we have the power, and more importantly the will, to pursue them. It will also give reassurance to genuine organic producers that we are committed to upholding the rules, which are there to give consumers confidence in the sector.”

Minister Sargent said that his Department officials were now regularly inspecting farmers’ markets and shops where organic food was offered for sale. New Regulations introduced in 2007 give his officials even stronger powers of enforcement and the Minister said he was determined that these would be used to the full.

 

“Organic food is a premium product because it costs more to produce,” Minister Sargent said. “Consumer confidence is vital. That is why we cannot and will not tolerate the kind of activity that led to this prosecution.”

 

Minister Sargent urged members of the public to report any suspicious incidents to his Department’s Organic Unit at Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford. The Unit can be contacted by phone on Lo-call 1890 200 509, or by email at organics@agriculture.gov.ie

 

- Minister Sargent welcomes organic research findings

Published 31 October, 2007 International , Organics Closed

31 October 2007

 

Following National Organic Week (22-28 October 2007), Trevor Sargent TD, Minister of State for Food and Horticulture, has welcomed the findings of research which show that, in general, organic foods contain high levels of beneficial compounds, such as vitamins and anti-oxidants.Minister Sargent said “Findings by researchers on the EU Quality Low Input Food project at Nafferton Farm in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, show that organic produce contain relatively high levels of beneficial compounds.

“I welcome these findings and I look forward to hearing more from this project. Ireland’s production must keep up with growing consumer demand if Irish farmers are to reap the benefits of organic conversion and if Irish consumers are to have access to affordable organic foods. Therefore, I am urging Irish farmers to examine the commercial opportunities that exist with organic conversion.

“Recently, I visited Austria, which has demonstrated that affordable, high quality, locally-grown organic food is an attainable goal, even in competitive markets.”

 

 

“I want to reiterate my own personal commitment and that of this Government, to developing the organic sector in Ireland. We are making progress in the right direction.“The number of Teagasc Organic Advisors have increased from one to four. I have launched the new Organic Farming Scheme to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food, increasing payment rates by approximately 17% compared to comparative rates under REPS 3.
“As well as payments to farmers, we in the Department also offer significant development grants both to farmers and to processors under the Schemes of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector.

“The continued growth of community gardens and other horticultural enterprises can only help to lessen the amount of imported organic produce required and it is clear that there is a ready made market here for local, seasonal food.

“Consumers are getting the message that organic is good for you: it is time for farmers to respond to that demand.”

 

 

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- Minister examines the organic sector in Austria

Published 12 October, 2007 International , Organics Closed

12 October 2007

 

Mr. Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, is visiting a number of organic farms in Austria this weekend. The purpose of the visit is to gather information on how organic production in the country has developed to its current high level, i.e. 11% of total land area.

 

“Given that only 0.8% of Irish agricultural land is certified as organic, we have some serious catching up to do” said Minister Sargent

 

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to increase the land area under organic production in Ireland to a minimum of 5% by 2012.

 

“Ireland’s level of production is low by EU standards, but I am confident that by learning from the experiences of countries like Austria and using this valuable information in the development of the organic sector in Ireland, we can put together the requires strategy and resources to ensure we reach our 5% target” Minister Sargent said.

- Minister Sargent Welcomes Stronger Controls For Organic Food And Farming

Published 3 October, 2007 Horticulture , Organics Closed

3 October 2007 

Welcoming the signing of an amendment to the Statutory Instrument on Organic Farming by Minister Mary Coughlan today, Mr Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, said that the additional powers granted to his officials would enable them to enforce the Regulations governing the organic sector much more effectively. The new provisions are aimed particularly at rogue traders passing off food as organic that does not meet the legal requirements.

Producers and processors contravening the new organic regulations now face fines of up to €5,000 or a term of imprisonment. Department officials will be able to seize produce, vehicles and other items and to serve fixed penalty and compliance notices on non-compliant operators. “I am committed to developing the organic sector in Ireland and consumer confidence is vital,” the Minister said. “Consumers often pay a premium for organic food and I want to be able to assure them that they are getting what they are paying for.” 

In tandem with the new Regulations, Minister Sargent announced that additional resources were being assigned to the Organic Unit of his Department. The combination of these two initiatives will lead to a more effective inspection regime of all retail outlets selling organic produce.Minister Sargent urged consumers who know of traders passing off conventional food as organic to contact the Organic Unit. “All reports will be treated in confidence,” he said, “and they will be taken seriously. The message is clear: anyone selling organic food must have proper certification and play by the rules.” 

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NOTE FOR EDITORS

The Department’s Organic Unit can be contacted by telephone at Lo Call 1890-200-509 and by email atorganics@agriculture.gov.ie The postal address is:

Organic Unit
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co Wexford

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- Minister Sargent Encourages Farmers to go Organic

Published 23 September, 2007 Horticulture , Organics Closed

23 September 2007 

Mr Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, receiving the fourth annual report of the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector from the Chairman, Mr John Duggan, said that the improved financial supports from his Department which are now in place should act as a further encouragement to attracting new entrants into the sector. 

Addressing the Steering Group at its September meeting, Minister Sargent said that he was “encouraged by the progress made since the Group was established” and he complimented the Chairperson and Group members for their “dedication and commitment”.  

The Minister noted the continued success in 2006 of the Demonstration Farm Programme and the expansion of the Programme in 2007. He was particularly pleased with the progress on the Organic Marketing Plan and he looked forward to this year’s National Organic Week which will take place from 22nd to 28th October.

The new Organic Farming Scheme should attract more conventional producers to go organic, which is in line with the Government’s commitment to increase the land area under organic production. “The new Programme for Government sets a target to convert a minimum 5% of acreage to organic farmland by 2012. I believe this target, while challenging, is achievable, with the full support of all stakeholders,” Minister Sargent said. The Steering Group in bringing all the interests together – farmers, processors, retailers, certification bodies, consumers as well as the State – will play a critical role in moving towards this target.

The new Organic Farming Scheme is more flexible than previous schemes as organic farmers do not now have to join the Rural Environment Protection Scheme. This change should encourage small-scale horticultural producers, for example, or large-scale conventional tillage producers who might be interested in converting part of their land to organic cereal production to meet the big demand for organic feed. “The majority of producers will continue to participate in both REPS and the Organic Farming Scheme and we will be encouraging them to do so in order that they can avail of the maximum level of payments,” Minister Sargent said.

As well as direct payments to farmers, the Department also offers significant capital grants both to farmers and to processors under the Schemes of Grant Aid for the Development of the Organic Sector. The current Schemes were launched in June this year and they provide grant aid for investments by farmers and processors in equipment and facilities for preparation, grading, packing, storage, distribution and sale of organic products.

 

 

NOTE FOR EDITORS

The National Steering Group for the Organic Sector is made up of representatives from the agri-food industry (including the processing and retail sectors), the organic certification bodies, the farming organisations, consumer interests and the State sector (Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). The Chairman of the Steering Group is Mr John Duggan, formerly Chairman of Glanbia.The National Steering Group, which first met in December 2002, was established to act as a driving force for the development of the organic sector, and also to provide a basis for advancing the partnership between the organic sector itself and the other principal essential interests.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan T.D., last year reappointed the Group for a second 3-year term with Mr Duggan continuing as Chairman. The Group’s objectives in its second term are:
to increase awareness among consumers of organic food and farming,
to increase the production base in Ireland, and
to seek to develop sustainable export markets as supplies become available.

The National Steering Group has two sub-groups, the Partnership Expert Working Group (PEWG) and the Organic Market Development Group (OMDG), chaired by Teagasc and Bord Bia respectively.

The Fourth Progress Report of the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector can be found on the Department’s website at

 

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- Minister Sargent Presents Certificates at Organic Centre Harvest Celebration

Published 13 September, 2007 Food news , Organics Closed

13 September 2007

 

Speaking at the presentation of certificates at the Harvest Celebration at the Organic Centre in Rossinver, Co Leitrim, Mr Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food praised the role of the Centre in developing the organic sector in the North-West region.

 

He congratulated the participants in the Community Food Project and the Peace and Environment Project for their commitment to the organic sector. The objective of the Community Food Project, supported jointly by the Health Service Executive and the Department of Agriculture and Food, is to increase knowledge, awareness and skills among targeted groups in relation to organic fruit and vegetable growing, preparation and cooking. Six Community Gardens participated in this Project.

 

The Peace and Environment Project has established a cross-border schools programme and a cross-community project promoting peace through gardening together in the border counties of Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and Fermanagh. This Project has approximately 200 participants in the community garden project and almost 800 students at primary level involved in the schools gardening programme.

 

The Minister said “I am impressed by the range and number of educational courses that are available here in Rossinver where the Organic Centre continues to play a significant role in growing the organic sector in the region. Nationally the Organic Centre is an important player in helping to realise the target of 5% of agricultural land be farmed organically by 2012.”

 

 

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