Applications to the Organic Farming Scheme can be made until the new closing date of Friday 22 April, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett has announced. The scheme aims to increase the area of land farmed organically in Ireland. It additionally includes a €5 million budget to take in new entrants.
Minister Hackett says “I have listened to farmers and their advisors on the need for this extension, and I am pleased to make this announcement so that they have more time to consider and submit applications.”
Under the Organic Farming Scheme, farmers can potentially receive up to €15,000 per year. Farmers entering the scheme could qualify for yearly payments of up to €220/ha during the conversion period, and up to €170/ha when they have achieved full-organic status. Meanwhile, changes to the scheme this year included lowering the required stocking rate and also expanding the area paid at the higher rate.
Minister Hackett hopes that the extended closing date will attract more farmers to consider joining the scheme. She adds that a series of recent public consultations on the new CAP generated significant interest from farmers in converting to organic farming and available supports.
In conclusion, the Minister says “at a time of high input costs for farmers, the scheme offers an opportunity for farm enterprises to diversify, and I would really encourage farmers to consider availing of supports provided.”