IOFGA are delighted to announce their involvement in the Portumna Forest Picnic on Spetember 12th. 
The event is co-ordinated by IOFGA, ICSA and Slow Food and it coincides with National Organic Week which runs until September 19th. The picnic is being held in the spectacular backdrop of the forest with lakeside views and will be free to attend.
Dr. Sinead Neiland Chairperson of IOFGA stated “IOFGA are delighted to be involved in this event for National Organic week, especially as it showcases Irish organic produce and producers.”
The event has been funded by the Department of Agriculture (Organic Unit) as well as sponsorship from IOFGA, local businesses and those involved in organic production in Ireland. Read the rest of this entry »
Now in their 4th year, the National Organic Awards are recognised as an important feature of the organic food and drink Industry. This year for the first time the awards also includes organic horticulture producers. The winners of the awards will be announced on the 14th of Septembers during National Organic Week.
This year, the award categories are;
1. Best Organic Retail Product
2. Best Organic Local product
3. Best Organic Export Product
4. Best Organic New Product
5. Best Sustainable Organic Product
Each of the above five winners will then be put forward for judging for the Best Overall Organic Product.
To enter your product in the awards please download an application form here Application form National Organic Food Awards 2010
IOFGA endorses the ministerial commitment to introducing a GM free label for Irish products. The majority of meat and dairy products produced in Ireland are exported primarily to Europe. Germany has introduced a GM free label which has been very successful and it is being closely followed by the introduction of GM Free labels in other EU states.
The reason that such a label needs to be introduced urgently in Ireland is that consumers all over Europe are demanding food which is guaranteed to be GM Free. A recent study in the UK found that 92% of consumers wanted labels to identify GM free food, 75% of which said that they would pay more for food which is labelled GM free. Read the rest of this entry »
