“Organic farming is a niche but growing market and there are positive signs for expansion”. This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP opening her address to the National Organic Conference in Tullamore. She said:- “We are awaiting the road map for organic farming which should be published by the EU Commission in the near future. This road map will likely see an update of the 2007 regulations and has real potential to strengthen the sector which accounts for approximately 3% of EU farmers. We have just spent three years on the reform of the CAP and part of that reform is specific funding earmarked for organic farming. Of crucial importance to all farmers and organic farmers will be the full co-financing of the Rural Development Programme. The EU Parliament insisted that 30% of this funding would go to agri-environment schemes and disadvantaged areas. If this is fully co-funded that would ensure sufficient funding to put in place meaningful and sustainable schemes that would deliver for both the environment and the farmer.
She said:- “We are awaiting the road map for organic farming which should be published by the EU Commission in the near future. This road map will likely see an update of the 2007 regulations and has real potential to strengthen the sector which accounts for approximately 3% of EU farmers. We have just spent three years on the reform of the CAP and part of that reform is specific funding earmarked for organic farming. Of crucial importance to all farmers and organic farmers will be the full co-financing of the Rural Development Programme. The EU Parliament insisted that 30% of this funding would go to agri-environment schemes and disadvantaged areas. If this is fully co-funded that would ensure sufficient funding to put in place meaningful and sustainable schemes that would deliver for both the environment and the farmer.
“Sometimes suggestions are made that organic farming is not real farming, that it wouldn’t feed the planet and that intensive productive agriculture is the only way to go. In my view this misses the point entirely. Organic farmers, and those who farm less intensively, play a huge role in protecting biodiversity and maintaining land in a sustainable state so that it can serve the interests of future generations. It’s not a question of either or, its about recognising the value of different types of agriculture and their contribution to sustainable food production and protection of the environment.
“Organic farming has an important role to play in the future of Irish farming, it is a growing sector and will contribute at many different levels to our clean, green image and to sustainable food production”, Marian Harkin concluded.
