Treacy approves organic farms

Ireland: Seven organic demonstration farms have been approved by Food Minister Noel Treacy.

They are being established initially on a pilot basis for one year to demonstrate a variety of organic farming methods.

The selected farmers will get an annual payment for facilitating a number of focus visits-farm walks in 2004. The farmers employ horticulture, mixed farming, dairying, tillage and poultry in six counties.