A new body to develop the organic sector, Forás Orgánach, has just been set up in Ireland.

The Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent, said sales of organic produce continue to rise despite the recession.

Only 1% of the country’s farmland is devoted to organic production, but it is a business that is growing.

Sales of organic food have trebled in the past five years to €120
million annually and there is room for further growth to stem imports
and improve Irish sales abroad, with organic food sales rising by 11%
last year.

There are increased opportunities for growers not only in fruit and vegetables, but in dairying, beef and lamb.

Now An Forás Orgánach has been set up by Mr Sargent to develop the
sector further. Its chairman is Noel Groome, an employer in the fresh
food industry.

Mr. Sargent said the new body will be working on targets set in the
Organic Farming Action Plan, which include having 5% of farmland
devoted to organic production.