Fruit deficit in organic food supply

THE main deficits in the supply of Irish-produced organic food are in fruit and vegetables and in cereals, according to Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

In a written reply to a Dáil question by Labour spokesperson Dr Mary Upton, TD, she said that whether to convert to organic production, or to step up existing production, is ultimately a business decision for food producers themselves.

However, I am committed to the development of the organic sector and my department supports it in several ways which offer strong encouragement to producers,” she said.