Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle T.D., recently announced his intention to launch a public consultation process on the new strategic plan for the development of the Organic Sector. The consultation process will be open for a seven-week period from Thursday 12th April 2018 to Thursday 31st May 2018.
Referring to the proposed consultation, the Minister said “This is an opportunity for all interested parties to contribute to the development of the new strategic plan for the development of the Organic Sector. This strategy will incorporate sectoral and cross-sectoral recommendations, market developments, training and education, public awareness and wider EU policy. It is critical that stakeholders have their views considered, before the finalisation of this strategy which aims to build on progress made and provide clear direction for further development of the Organic Sector for the next seven years.”
The Organic Sector Strategy Group, recently established by Minister Doyle, is tasked with developing this 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 in the last quarter of 2018.
Written submissions should be sent by email to organic@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to The Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford. The deadline for receipt of submissions is 31st May 2018.
A consultation notice will be published on the Department’s website from Thursday 12th April 2018 here.
