Press release
Minister Hackett announces commencement of 2022 Organic Scheme Payments
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, announced today more than €5.3 million is issuing to over 1,000 farmers as the 2022 Advance Payments for the Organic Farming Scheme begin.
The Minister said:
“I am delighted to announce the commencement of the 2022 Organic Farming Scheme Advance Payments. Payments issued today represent an increase of €1.3 million compared to 2021. My department is committed to ensuring farmers receive their payments on time each year and in this regard, payments have issued earlier this year and will continue over the coming weeks to the remaining farmers. I would like to remind existing organic farmers whose contracts end this year they must apply to participate in the new scheme on agfood.ie by 9 December.”
The Minister added:
“In the past couple of years, there has been significant interest and growth in the Organic Sector, and we are focused on delivering the Programme for Government target of 7.5% of land under organic production. As such, these payments to organic farmers are vital to provide the necessary support for the maintenance and conversion to Organic Farming. I would also remind farmers that the scheme is currently open for applications until 9 December and strongly encourage anyone who wishes to apply to do so now. As I previously announced, from 2023 farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme will benefit from enhanced payment rates and the introduction of a participation payment.”
Minister Hackett also noted the activities of the department in fulfilling a very full schedule of events and engagements to date in 2022 to bring a cohesive and strategic framework to support the Organic sector:
Minister Hackett concluded by noting:
“It is my commitment to farmers that we will continue to refine those parameters that will facilitate Farmers and producers to convert to Organic and develop into the future and ensure that their businesses continue to excel and reach their highest potential. The benefits of converting will ensure that the fundamental principles of improving environmental benefits for all and applying sustainable methods of farming create better outcomes across our communities.”
These advance payments amount to 85% of the full annual payment offered under the OFS. The subsequent 15% balancing payment is expected to be made in May 2023.
At present, there are approximately 2100 organic farmers participating in the Organic Farming Scheme and annual payments under the Scheme will amount to approximately €13 million.
Approximately 110,000 hectares currently under organic production.
The Organic Division in DAFM can be contacted on 053 91 63400 or by email to organic@agriculture.gov.ie
To illustrate the increased level of supports a payments calculator has been developed for farmers and is available at https://cap-calculators.apps.rhos.agriculture.gov.ie/
This calculator displays the value for each farmer of converting to organic.
The Scheme will be open to applications from all sectors until 9 December 2022.
A guide to the Organic Farming Scheme application process and a FAQ document is available on the department’s website to assist potential applicants at: Organic Farming Scheme
A chatbot is available on agfood.ie to answer frequently asked questions on organic farming.
Teagasc have developed a series of new Organic Factsheets to give information to farmers considering organic enterprise options. In addition, a new guide “Organic Farming – A Step-by-Step Guide to Conversion” has been developed and is available on the Teagasc website.
Copies of the Organic Farming Scheme terms and conditions are available on the department's organics page at Organic Farming Scheme.
Ireland's Programme for Government has set a target of more than tripling the organic land area by 2027 to approximately 330,000 hectares. This target has been incorporated into Irelands CAP Strategic Plan, Food Vision 2030 and Climate Action Plan.
For a 40ha drystock farmer total payment over the 5 years of the organic farming scheme will be 54% higher than under the previous CAP.
The overall objective of the Organic Farming Scheme is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.
A total budget of €256 million has been allocated to the OFS over the lifetime of the new CAP.