I was appalled at the recent RTÉ Prime Time debate about organic growing which was clearly done with an intent to polarise the issue of organic food versus conventionally produced food.

The final deal on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy could not be described as a radical reform.

Agri-food stakeholders are confident that Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney’s efforts to gain EU-wide support for his gradual model of redistribution of farm payments will bear fruit in CAP reform talks today and tomorrow in Luxembourg.

Numbers entering the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) have reduced from 180 valid applicants in 2012 to 105 this year, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

Government departments should do more to promote organic food options on their canteen menus, the food lobby group, Organic Trust, has said.

Consumers continue to purchase organic food despite recent US scientific studies that questioned the validity of organic claims, the Irish Organic Food Growers group has said.

Genetically modified plants have caused a surge in disease-resistant weeds and insects, warns one leading Irish organic food producer.

National agri-food research body Teagasc says its proposal to plant blight-resistant GM potatoes outdoors in Ireland is a necessary part of a trial to gauge their ecological impacts on bacterial, fungal, nematode and earthworm diversity in the soil.

FROM an organic farming perspective, the year just passed was an eventful one.

GILLIAN WESTBROOK is the new general manager of the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, IOFGA. This position will involve planning, managing and organisation for IOFGA.

A NEW third-level course in organic horticulture has been announced.

A BUSY National Organic Week has left the sector buzzing. Plenty of well attended events, some new research, promising policy developments and upcoming opportunities have emerged.

THE deadline for the receipt of application forms for the fourth National Organic Awards is next Monday.

IRELAND’s hesitation in declaring itself a GM-free zone is handing other EU farmers a marketing advantage on a plate, says the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA).

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.

ANY cuts to agriculture spending must be directed away from smaller farmers and should be informed by a vision for the future shape of rural Ireland, according to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association.

FEARS have arisen that the multiple retailers are set to seek price reductions of up to 40% from suppliers in the country’s €140 million organic food sector.

THE Irish Organic Farmers and Growers’ Association has established a formal co-operative link with the Soil Association — Britain’s largest organic body.

CONSUMERS have been urged to support local farmers and food producers in order to help the local economy.

THE Government was urged yesterday to train people to grow their own food.

ORGANIC farming could hold the key to providing an economic future for farming in Ireland as well as issues such as obesity and healthier eating, according to the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA).

SALES of organic food in Ireland are €66 million a year and rising, as consumers place their faith in produce free of pesticides and in meat reared naturally.

WITH a marked price difference between organic and non-organic food, it doesn’t take a genius to see the potential to capitalise on the organic revolution and make a quick buck.

DOZENS of turkeys, geese and ducks, for sale on the lucrative Christmas market, were seized by Department of Agriculture officials from two Cork city premises after they were found to be incorrectly labelled.

Dunbrody Abbey Visitor Centre, Campile, New Ross, Co Wexford will be holding Christmas fairs on December 10 & 11 and December 17 & 18.