Pippa Hackett welcomes 10% organic target within Green Public Procurement strategy

Ms Hackett said there had been a threefold increase in both the number of organic farmers and in the area of land farmed organically since 2020

Junior biodiversity minister Pippa Hackett Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photos

Junior biodiversity minister Pippa Hackett has welcomed the approval of the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan stating that a minimum of 10% of food purchased via public procurement must be certified organic.

The Strategy also provides that the level of seasonal products included should be a key criterion in public-sector food procurement.

Speaking on the approval, the senator said there had been a threefold increase in both the number of organic farmers and in the area of land farmed organically since 2020. 

“From now, 10% by value of food sought by public sector bodies under new contract arrangements is to be certified organic. 

"We want to support a diverse organic sector, so I felt it particularly important for the Strategy to provide that the 10% number should be hit across individual food categories, rather than the entire target being met through supplies of only one or two food categories.”

Speaking on Ireland's environmental ambition, the minister noted the Government's target under the Climate Action Plan of 10% of agricultural land in Ireland to be farmed organically by 2030, adding that one of the ways to support more farmers to make the switch to organic is for the State to become a purchaser of organic food.

"We know that public procurement has worked really well in other EU member states as a policy lever to grow the organic sector."

"The future is bright for Irish organic farming. There will be times of the year when we can provide organic food more readily, and in much greater supply, and those periods might well see much more than 10% organic food being used. Equally, there will of course be months when supply may be a bit lower." 

"The key will be to hit the 10% figure across the course of the year, and I am really looking forward to seeing our State agencies and Government Departments contribute to that objective."