Minister for Food and Horticulture Trevor Sargent today announced an organic feasibility study for Kerry.
The main aims of the study are to identify market opportunities for enterprises in the organic sector, to encourage new entrants into organic food production, and to increase the number of organic producers and processors in the county.
Mr Sargent repeated his commitment to the organic sector in Ireland and said that he looked forward to receiving the research findings. "I would hope that a model of best practice can be developed here in Kerry that could be replicated in other areas," the Minister said.
Congratulating South Kerry Development Partnership on the iniative, the Green Party TD said the study was timely in the context of the Government's commitment to achieve 5 per cent of the land area under organic production by 2012.
There are 1,440 organic operators in Ireland with approximately 44,600 hectares of land under organic production methods, which equates to over 1 per cent of the total land area. Since 2005 there has been an increase of over 26 per cent in the area under organic production.
The Irish organic market now estimated to be worth €104 million, compared to €66 million in 2006.
"It is clear, however, that we still have a long way to go to reach the target, but at least we are heading in the right direction," Mr Sargent said.
"The opportunity clearly exists for Ireland to increase the level of home production as opposed to imported organic produce."
