“The processors of horticultural produce will qualify for the Brexit Loan Scheme which was announced today and an additional loan scheme for primary producers, including horticulture producers is to be considered for next year.” said the Minister.
Bord Bia is investing in market development programmes to assist companies facing currency challenges. In addition, Bord Bia will continue to work with horticulture companies, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland on ‘lean’ production tools to improve competitiveness.
“I am keenly aware of the challenges that the horticulture sector is experiencing particularly in light of recent fluctuations in currency. I am focused on working with the industry to meet these difficulties in the months and year ahead,” said Minister Doyle.
€10.5m is being provided for the Organic Farming Scheme and a further €1.2m for Development of the Organic Sector.
Welcoming the allocation for Organics Minister Doyle said ”I am delighted to welcome the sum of €11.7m available for this important sector in 2018. This will provide for ongoing support to over 1,700 organic farmers under the Organic Farming Scheme, as well as wider supports across the sector in areas such as marketing, promotion and awareness, and capital investments by processors. Additional support, not included here, of over €1m is also being made available to organic farmers under the TAMS organic capital investment scheme,” he added.
Organics is a growth industry in every sense of the word and the value of the market in Ireland has grown by double digits in the last few years, and the number of producers and area under organic production has expanded also.
“With some 72,000 hectares of land now under production, we have met all targets set within our Rural Development Programme and the emphasis now must be on developing sustainable markets for the increased volume of organic product which is already coming onstream,” said the Minister.