The Organic Farming Scheme offers financial support to Irish farmers who want to convert to the production of organic food.

For an applicant to be eligible they must produce livestock and crops to EU organic standards. Organic farming and management practices must be adhered to on the land declared during the application submission. The applicant must complete an approved training course and be registered and approved as an organic producer by an appropriate inspection body. The applicants land must be a minimum of 3 hectares in size. An exception is made for horticulture producers where a minimum of 1 hectare is sufficient.

Applicants who wish to apply for partial conversion of their farm must use different species of plants or livestock so that the organic and conventional areas may be easily differentiated.

The rate of payment will depend on a number of factors:

• • The land is either in the 2 year conversion period or is now fully converted
  • The type of farming enterprise involved
  • The land area of the holding

An additional participation payment will be made annually to cover administrative costs. An amount of €2000 is paid in the first year of conversion and €1400 will be paid each year after that.

Terms and Conditions for the Organic Farming Scheme can be found here…