Irish Organic Association welcomes investment in organic market development

22/05/2023 – The Irish Organic Association welcomes the allocation of €1 million for organic promotion and development to Bord Bia, announced by Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today. The funding will be used to increase consumer awareness of Irish organic food, drink and horticulture and develop future market opportunities for the sector going forward.

Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association, said “We welcome the Government’s announcement to boost consumer awareness and marketing of Irish organic produce both at home and abroad. The growing interest in organic production amongst Irish farmers and business is a good news story in our efforts to stimulate the sustainable development of the Irish agri-food sector. The funding provides a much-needed injection of investment to strategically cultivate a diverse portfolio of premium organic products and to spread the value of market gains fairly across the organic supply chain.”

She added, “Irish citizens also recognise the environmental and climate benefits of organic production, most recently set out in the Final Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity, and importantly observed in Irish consumers’ shopping baskets. It is therefore essential that the story of Ireland’s organic produce continues to reach Irish consumers and business who are looking to source local, seasonal, healthy organic produce to feed their families, and local communities. Local demand for Irish organic produce not only helps to support Irish farmers and business, but clearly demonstrates brand Ireland’s clean green image”.

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For further comment please contact Gillian Westbrook, CEO of the Irish Organic Association at 087 7819967, or by email at gillian.westbrook@irishoa.ie

Retail figures show that demand for organic food has doubled in Ireland and the EU over the last decade. For further details see “The World of Organic Agriculture: Current Trends and Statistics 2023” – the annual edition of organic production and market trends in Europe and worldwide.

Irish citizens have called for more investment in organic food and farming in two Citizens’ Assemblies on biodiversity loss (2023) and tackling climate change (2018).

This funding is made possible through the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) fund which aims to provide financial support to the Member States, regions and sectors most affected by Brexit.