Food producers join forces to form national group with organic focus

Organic meat, dairy, poultry, horticulture, cereals, and aquaculture producers have formed a national group entitled Organic Focus.

The forum features representatives of the Department of Agriculture, Teagasc, and Bord Bia, along with producers.

Shane McEntee, the food minister, appointed Mel O’Rourke, managing director of Sylvan Ireland and Sylvan Europe to chair the group.

Mr McEntee said: “The principal objective of the group will be to identify solutions where possible and develop strategies to progress the organic sector for the benefit of all.”

Mr McEntee welcomed 52 visiting organic farmers from Denmark on a four-day tour of Irish organic farms and enterprises.

Visits included the organic farm of Alan Mooney, Kilcock, Co Kildare, Burren Smoke House, St Tola Cheese, and Mossfield Farm.

Meanwhile, Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, has asked the European Commission to approve advance rollout of the Single Farm Payment on Oct 16 rather than Dec 1.

If approved, his depart-ment will pay 50% of the Single Farm Payment in all cleared cases on Oct 16, with the balance on Dec 1.