Flahavan’s notified growers this week that it will be applying a quota to organic oat deliveries for harvest 2022.

In positive news, the company explained that it expects to source 100% of its organic oats from Irish growers in 2021.

The letter noted the quota on organic oats is as a consequence of the increased number of growers in 2021 and that the quota would be set at the amount supplied in 2021.

Flahavan’s noted its work in encouraging farmers to grow organic oats was paying off

Any quota not taken up by 26 November 2021 is to be allocated to growers on the company’s waiting list.

In a statement to the Irish Farmers Journal, Flahavan’s noted its work in encouraging farmers to grow organic oats was paying off.

Planning ahead

“With this maturing of the organic oat supply in Ireland, Flahavan’s is now planning ahead and bringing volume agreements with growers into effect in a similar manner to those already established with its conventional oats suppliers.

“Flahavan’s has taken the decision to commence this process now in order to allow organic growers to plan ahead.”

Organic Farming Scheme

This development comes as the Minister for Land Use and Biodiversity, Pippa Hackett, stated she is happy with the numbers who applied to the Organic Farming Scheme as the average size of the farms which applied was 47ha, much higher than the national average farm size of 32.4ha (CSO).

Just over 60% of the available places were applied for in the scheme this year.

There are approximately 72,000ha under organics at present

The minister said the options of other schemes, such as REAP and the Straw Incorporation Measure, may have resulted in fewer people applying for the Organic Farming Scheme.

However, it is still a long way off the target in Ag Climatise to have 350,000ha of land in organics by 2030. There are approximately 72,000ha under organics at present – 2% of agricultural land, while the EU is aiming for 25%.

The minister said Ireland is “still at the bottom of that table [on organics] and we have to get our act together”.