Organic Farming Scheme Archives

Organic Farming Scheme

New organic farming rates proposed

Senator Pippa Hackett, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, yesterday announced proposed new enhanced rates for farmers participating in the organic farming scheme. These are subject to approval by the European Commission as part of the ongoing discussions on approval of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, and would apply from 1 January, 2023. Announcing the new rates the Minister said: “The budget proposed for…

Start of Organic Farming Scheme balancing payments

The commencement of the 2021 balancing payments for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) has been announced by Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett. She said: “I am delighted to announce the commencement of the 2021 balancing payments to organic farmers. Over 1,000 farmers have received payments totaling over €784,000. Payments will continue to issue over the coming weeks.” “The Organic Farming…

Increase in Organic Farming Scheme applications

There has been a 20% increase in applications for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), this is according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The Minister of State at the department, Senator Pippa Hackett says there were 380 new applicants when the scheme closed on Friday, 22 April, 2022, which is an increase of almost a fifth on 2021 numbers. The DAFM says that close to 700 farmers…

Organic Farming Scheme closing date revised

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…

Hesitancy over switch to organic dairy farming

Proposed amendments to the €21m Organic Farming Scheme by the Department of Agriculture are said to be aimed at commercial dairy farmers. But farm leaders are wary about the financial viability of full-time dairy farmers switching from conventional to organic production systems. An IFA spokesperson commented that farmers considering organic farming should look carefully at what’s involved. The amendments mean that farmers will receive higher payment – from 60ha to…

Uptake of organic farming hoped with new OFS changes

The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) is expected to reopen to new applicants on February 9, 2022. Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, has secured extra funding of €5m for new entrant organic farmers in Budget 2022. Minister Hackett states that the increased budget will encourage further uptake of organic farming; offer a viable income to farmers; and assist Ireland in meeting “ambitious” targets…