State ‘must focus on organic food sector’ to ease agricultural crisis

AGRICULTURE is in crisis and there is a lack of vision from the mainstream farming organisations and the state as to what direction it should take, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association has claimed.

IOFGA chairwoman Kate Carmody said rather than fighting against global trends now is the time for the Government to boldly embrace a vision of a rural Ireland based around the areas of greatest opportunity.

There is a need to focus specifically on the production of organic food, minimise agriculture’s carbon footprint and completely ban the use of GMOs.

A focus on supporting artisan and small-scale producers rather than giant food companies, and on developing rural ecotourism, is also needed.

“This could then provide the basis for a vibrant rural economy in the future and provide hope for farmers and their children as to their future prospects.

“If we back up Ireland’s green image with some real policies on the ground we can create an unequalled demand for our produce abroad,” she said.

Ms Carmody said the regulatory system in agriculture illustrates perfectly the incoherence of current policy.

Under it organic farmers who, as part of their ethos do not use chemicals and pesticides in their farming, are strictly regulated and routinely inspected.

This ensures food carrying an organic symbol meets the strict organic standards for production and processing. IOFGA agrees this strict inspection regime is appropriate.

“Ironically, however, the majority of farmers who are non-organic and who routinely use chemicals and pesticides in their farming practices are not inspected or required by law to state what products they have used in producing their produce.

Ms Carmody said those in the organic sector are proud to say their products are farmed and produced to the highest standards.

“We also feel that our organic symbol on a product gives consumers the confidence to buy organic food knowing it is free from contamination and that the production of organic food has not had a negative impact on the environment,” she said.

IOFGA is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing 1,150 farmers, growers and processors.