Strategy launched to pave the way for Ireland to become a ‘world leader’ in organics

Organic farming has enjoyed a resurgence over recent years, principally driven by attractive payments to enable farmers to convert from conventional farming to organic farming systems.

Given the success and uptake of the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), organic produce is expected to grow exponentially over the coming years and decades. The ambition to 2030 is to increase the wholesale organic food value from €200 million today to €750 million by 2030, with projections pointing to increases in the supply of organic beef, sheepmeat, dairy produce and poultry, along with other outputs.

To ensure the growth of a highly productive organic food sector is maintained, that secures a viable future for farmers while supporting the health of the natural environment and consumers, the National Irish Organic Strategy 2024 to 2030 was recently launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D., and Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett.

Pictured at the launch of the National Organic Strategy 2024 - 2030 at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co: Laois are from left to right: Padraig Brennan, Chairman Organic Strategy Forum; Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Charlie McConalogue T.D., Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Professor Frank O Mara, Teagasc Director; and Francie Gorman, IFA President.  Photo O'Gorman Photography. 

Launching and endorsing the strategy document yesterday, September 18, in the Organic Village at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois, Minister McConalogue said: “The Organic forum, led by Padraig Brennan, has produced a strategy that is balanced and credible, which identifies a significant opportunity for Ireland in moving to a position of world leadership in organic farming.”

Continuing, Minister McConalogue said: “I welcome the focus on ensuring that organic farmers, fishers and food producers are competitive and productive, with enhanced well-being and economic sustainability.

“The incomes of our producers are central and critical to the success of our strategy, as they are the bedrock of our world-class organic agri-food sector. The strategy recognises the crucial role organic farming has and will continue to play in rural and coastal communities, and in achieving balanced regional development for the country as a whole.”

Also speaking at the launch of the strategy, Minister of State with responsibility for Land Use and Biodiversity, Senator Pippa Hackett, said the launch of the National Organic Strategy is a significant milestone in the continued development of the sector.

“I would like to thank the members of the Organic Strategy Forum and its Chair Padraig Brennan for all of their work on the Strategy, and indeed for everything they’ve done over the past number of years to grow and promote the sector,” Minister Hackett said.

On the growth and future ambition for the sector, Minister Hackett said: “Since 2021 we have seen unprecedented growth in organic farming in Ireland, and our aim now is to reach 10% of land being farmed organically by 2030.

“We have an ambitious aim in this strategy to treble the wholesale value of organic output to €750 million by 2030, which will ultimately benefit the thousands of Irish farmers who have converted to organics in recent years.”

Minister Hackett continued: “Organic farming is embedded in government policy, through Food Vision 2030, the CAP Strategic Plan, the Climate Action Plan, the new Green Public Procurement Strategy and the increased investment by Bord Bia and Teagasc in supporting organic food production.

“A key element of our ambition is to increase organic processing capacity, and this year we doubled the support available and increased the grant rate significantly in response to the growing demand for Irish organic produce. Organic farming delivers for climate, water quality, biodiversity and soil; we have made huge strides over the first half of this decade and this Strategy sets out the roadmap to do even more between now and 2030.”

Padraig Brennan, chair of the Organic Forum, concluded: “The Strategy sets out a clear vision for the sector, supported by six strategic priorities and 51 actions that span the full value chain, from farming and food production through to trade customers and consumers, aimed at driving significant growth in the value of organic farming and food production.

“The implementation plan clearly outlines the responsibilities of each stakeholder to ensure the delivery of our collective ambitions. This will drive the work programme of the Organic Forum in the period ahead, and ensure that we position the organic sector strongly in Ireland, and, increasingly, in export markets.”

Click here to access the full National Irish Organic Strategy 2024 to 2030 document (PDF).