The inaugural meeting of the new organic sector strategy group took place on Wednesday in Agriculture House and was attended by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Andrew Doyle.

The group comprises representatives of the department, Teagasc, Bord Bia, BIM, IFA, ICMSA, ICSA and a wide range of stakeholders in the organic meat, dairy, horticulture, cereals and aquaculture sectors.

Speaking at the event Minister Doyle said: “The market for Irish organic is valued at €162 million. But if other activities such as farmers’ markets and online sales are included, the estimated value is over €200 million."

He also said there “is scope for further growth given the market demand”, and that the group's objective will be “to develop a strategy to ensure that the organic sector avails of the opportunities that exist and maximises its contribution to economic growth and exports in an environmentally sustainable manner over the coming years”.

Minister Doyle has appointed Martin Heraghty, a former assistant secretary of the Department of Agriculture to chair the group.

The new group is tasked with developing a strategy for the development of the organic sector for the period up to 2025. It is expected the draft organic sector strategy will be presented to the minister within six to eight months.

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