May 5, 2021 11:04 am
317 applications were received in respect of the 2021 Organic Farming Scheme, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has confirmed.
When opening the scheme, Minister of State Pippa Hackett said that the “significant level of funding provided for this new scheme” would facilitate the entry of 400 to 500 farmers into organic farming.
The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environment measure under the department’s Rural Development Programme.
The objective of the scheme is to “deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food”.
Re-opening of the Organic Farming Scheme
April 29, 2021 5:13 pm
The exclusion of organic farmers from the Rural Environmental-Agri Pilot Programme (REAP) “sends the wrong message”, according to one farm organisation.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association (ICSA) argued that it was a “step in the wrong direction” not to include farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS).
Fergal Byrne, the ICSA organics chairperson, said today (Thursday, April 29): “We cannot continue to send out a message that those doing most for the environment will be at a disadvantage when it comes to allocating environmental supports”.
“This is something that will absolutely have to be addressed in the design of the flagship agri-environment scheme in the new CAP.”
April 23, 2021 11:51 am
Farmers who are considering going organic have just one more week to apply for the Organic Farming Scheme, with the closing date of 11:59pm on Friday, April 30, looming.
The Organic Farming Scheme reopened for new applications from farmers at the beginning of March and closes next Friday.
Additional funding has been allocated to allow the scheme to increase the number of farmers farming organically in Ireland this year by 30%.
Farmers entering the Organic Farming 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.
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SHARING OPTIONS:
The hotly anticipated Results-Based Environment Agri Pilot, what has become known as the REAP agri-environmental scheme, was launched and opened for applications on 21 April and closes on 10 May.
The two-year pilot with a fund of €10m can accommodate 2,000 applications, with Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue explaining that this is the maximum number of participants allowed in a pilot scheme, while transitional arrangements are in place awaiting the introduction of the next CAP in 2023.
The scheme has a maximum payment of €6,300 (excluding partnerships) over the two-year lifetime of the pilot.
Payments are based on a participation payment of €1,200 per applicant, along with the selection of one of two main measures.