FG outlines barriers to organic growth

THE barriers to the growth of the organic food sector are the high cost of establishing enterprises, access to education and training and the need to improve marketing and distribution, according to Fine Gael agriculture and food spokesman Denis Naughten.

Speaking during National Organics Week, Mr Naughten said imaginative solutions are needed to encourage more farmers to go organic.

“We must develop more innovative ways to deliver training, such as the internet or distance learning. Marketing and promotion of organic food is also crucial if domestic producers are to thrive,” he said.

Mr Naughten said Irish organic food production has a great future but producers must be ready to meet consumer demand.

Labour party agriculture spokeswoman Dr Mary Upton accused the Government of failing to promote Irish organic agriculture.

“Between 1996 and 2003, the number of organic farms in Ireland increased by 30%. This places us firmly at the bottom of the league table,” she said.

Dr Upton said the Government has refused to implement all the main recommendations of the Organic Development Committee.

“Export markets have not been developed.

“They have done nothing to create new distribution channels for small scale producers.

“This is the reason Ireland lags behind the rest of Europe in one of agriculture’s most promising areas of growth,” she said.