CCD was originally noted in the US where large amounts of imidacloprid are used. However it has since spread across much of Europe. Two other widely published studies from France and Scotland also link neonicotinoids to declines in bees and other pollinating insects. Professor Dave Goulson, from the University of Stirling in Scotland, found in his research, that exposure to even low levels of neonicotinoid pesticides has a serious impact on the health of bees.

“The problem with neonicotinoids are that they attack the central nervous system of insects. As it is a systemic chemical it is taken up by all parts of the plant including the pollen and nectar and it is ingested continually by bees and other pollinating insects” said Grace Maher, Development Officer IOFGA.

According to Michael Gleeson secretary from the Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations, Irish bee colonies are generally quite healthy and to date CCD has not occurred to any great extent the way it has in other countries. “This is a positive thing as there is a growing interest among people in getting involved in keeping bees, as more and more people see the value in having a bee hive both for pollination and honey production” said Michael.

Bees play a vital role in pollination of food crops. Simon Potts Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Reading estimated that the cost of hand pollinating plants in the absence of bees would costs Britain £1.8 billion annually. “Based on this information it is essential that we restrict pesticide use particularly when bees are actively foraging, as they play such a vital role in our agro ecosystem. We do not want to replicate what has happened in other countries here” stated Grace Maher.

—————————    ENDS   ——————————-

For more information please contact;

Grace Maher

Development Officer IOFGA

Tel: 087 6125989

www.iofga.org

grace.maher@iofga.org

Gillian Westbrook

General Manager

IOFGA

Tel: 087 7819967

www.iofga.org

gillian.westbrook@iofga.org

The overall objective of Green Tenders is to assist public authorities to successfully plan and implement green public procurement. There are 8 specific areas prioritised in this plan one of which is Food and Catering Services.

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA stated that “the annual public expenditure on food in Ireland is estimated at €195m.[1] The organic licence scheme offered by IOFGA is highlighted as an accreditation scheme which meets the sustainability criteria outlined under Green Tenders. This offers fantastic opportunities to certified organic producers to supply local and seasonal food to the public catering sector”.

Westbrook went on to cite the successful example of “the pilot project that was run in the Marine Institute using organic salmon, beef, lamb, vegetables, salads and goats cheese, all supplied locally and in season. When using organic ingredients it was noted that there was a significant reduction in waste making it even more sustainable to use organic ingredients. Diners also noted greater flavour and quality in the food served. We will be actively encouraging organic producers and processors, particularly in the meat, seafood, eggs and poultry enterprises to become proactive in supplying public contracts under the Green Tenders initiative” she said.

—————–               ENDS          —————–

For more information please contact;

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA Tel 087 7819967

Grace Maher, Development Officer IOFGA, Tel 087 6125989

On opening the scheme, Minister McEntee pointed out that proposals presented by the European Commission on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy are very positive in relation to the Organic Sector.   “The proposals presented by the Commission refer to provisions for innovative actions promoting a resource-efficient, productive and low-emission agricultural sector” stated Minister McEntee.  “We must therefore continue to promote organic farming, which is compatible with the protection and improvement of the environment.”

The closing date for new applicants to the OFS is 15^th of May.

—————————————– ENDS ————————————————

For more information please contact:

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA, Tel 087 7819967

Grace Maher, Development Officer, IOFGA, Tel 087 6125989

Gillian Westbrook, General Manager with IOFGA stated that “we are delighted with this reversal by DAFM to pay farmers for 2011, as farmers had signed up in the understanding that they would be paid for these areas under both schemes”.

————– ENDS ————-

For more information please contact

Gillian Westbrook

General Manager IOFGA

Tel 087 7819967

Grace Maher

Development Officer IOFGA

Tel 087 6125989

“This is an extremely distressing situation for farmers who made the agreement with the Department in good faith” stated Gillian Westbrook, General Manager with IOFGA. “Now they find themselves forced to make a decision as to which scheme they wish to receive payment under. If they opt to receive payment under the AEOS, they will not receive payment from the OFS but must continue to farm the parcels of land in question organically. Alternatively, they could choose OFS payment and not the AEOS, either way the Department has given them a very short window in which to make this decision. Many of our members who find themselves in this situation have stated to us that they will appeal the decision as this should have been made clear to them before they signed up for either scheme” stated Ms Westbrook.

_____________  ENDS ____________

For further details contact:

Gillian Westbrook

IOFGA General Manager, 090-64-33680, 087-781-9967

Grace Maher

IOFGA Development Officer, 087-612-5989

Ms. Westbrook said: “Payments from the AEOS and Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) are being held up for 148 farmers because the species rich grassland criteria under AEOS is considered to be the same as the environmental contribution from organic farming practices. In other words, some officials believe farmers are being paid twice for the same contribution. This is outrageously unfair as farmers were not aware of the change which took place in 2011, especially as it was acceptable for 2010 payments. Furthermore, organic farmers are already limited in criteria options on offer in environmental schemes, and species rich grassland is one that many extensive organic farmers can choose.”

Ms. Westbrook also emphasized that while officials are deciding, no payment will be made for either scheme.  “We need clear guidelines on criteria so that organic farmers can make an informed choice. It is not acceptable to move the goal posts, especially as farmers will have retained areas of land to fulfill the requirements”.

For further details contact:

Gillian Westbrook

IOFGA General Manager, tel 090-64-33680, 087-781-9967

Grace Maher

IOFGA Development Officer, tel  087-612-5989

“This agreement comes with a double added value. On the one hand, organic farmers and food producers will benefit from easier access, with less bureaucracy and less costs, to both the U.S. and the EU markets, strengthening the competitiveness of this sector. In addition, it improves transparency on organic standards, and enhances consumers’ confidence and recognition of our organic food and products,” stated Commissioner Cioloş. “This partnership connects organic farmers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic with a wide range of new market opportunities,” said U.S Deputy Agriculture Secretary Merrigan.

The EU and US represent the two biggest organic markets in the world, having a combined value of more than €43 billion. “This deal is good news for the 200,000 plus organic farmers in the EU where organic food production is growing annually” stated Gillian Westbrook, General Manager, IOFGA. “It is also good news for many Irish producers who wish to export to the US where Irish organic products are growing in demand. Dairy, beef and salmon producers and businesses have the potential to benefit from this deal. It also represents a stronger platform to promote organic food and farming to consumers both in the EU and the US” Westbrook stated.

——–    ENDS ———-

For more information please contact:

Gillian Westbrook

General Manager

IOFGA

Tel 087 7819967 gillian.westbrook@iofga.org

Grace Maher

Development Officer IOFGA

Tel 087 6125989, grace.maher@iofga.org

Ms. Westbrook said: “Payments from the AEOS and Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) are being held up for 148 farmers because the species rich grassland criteria under AEOS is considered to be the same as the environmental contribution from organic farming practices. In other words, some officials believe farmers are being paid twice for the same contribution. This is outrageously unfair as farmers were not aware of the change which took place in 2011, especially as it was acceptable for 2010 payments. Furthermore, organic farmers are already limited in criteria options on offer in environmental schemes, and species rich grassland is one that many extensive organic farmers can choose.”

Ms. Westbrook also emphasized that while officials are deciding, no payment will be made for either scheme.  “We need clear guidelines on criteria so that organic farmers can make an informed choice. It is not acceptable to move the goal posts, especially as farmers will have retained areas of land to fulfill the requirements”.

For further details contact:

Gillian Westbrook

IOFGA General Manager, tel 090-64-33680, 087-781-9967

Grace Maher

IOFGA Development Officer, tel  087-612-5989

IOFGA also welcomed Minister McEntee’s comments when he stated that “big retailers need to show more respect for producers if the Irish horticultural sector is to survive”. It is disheartening to see major retailers selling seasonal vegetables as lost leaders to get people into their shops. This practice was widely adopted before Christmas, and to a commercial grower the notion that vegetables such as Brussels sprouts (which take 6 months to grow!) were selling for as little as 22c a bag is quite insulting.

While the good news story last week was the €8.9billion in food exports sold in 2011 by Irish food and drink companies, we also need to acknowledge that in the same period we spent €1billion on importing fruit and vegetables into Ireland. This includes a figure of €100m on apples which could easily be grown in Ireland. Growing fruit and vegetables for a living is tough work however steps need to be taken to reduce the dependence on imports in order to become more sustainable in horticultural production. In light of this measures such as this grant aid scheme are welcome in order to achieve that.

———  ENDS ——–

For more information please contact

Grace Maher, Development Officer IOFGA,

Tel 087 6125989, grace.maher@iofga.org, www.iofga.org

Notes to editor:

1.Details of the scheme and application forms can be obtained from Crop Policy, Production and Safety Division, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Young’s Cross, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, (01) 5058886 or at http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/farmerschemespayments/horticultureschemes/  The closing date for receipt of applications is 10th February 2012 and only investments commenced after the issue of letters of approval will be eligible for aid.

2.IOFGA are the largest certification body in Ireland and are responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOFGA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard of organic integrity. IOFGA also works to inform the public about the benefits of organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland. For more information please see www.iofga.org

So it appears that even in recessionary times people are buying organic, why? Most regular organic shoppers realise that there is not a huge cost differential in buying organic food and if you buy in season and directly from the producer it may even be cheaper than non organic equivalents! Taste and quality are one reason why shoppers return again and again to organic products.

An important issue for some organic consumers this year will be that by buying certified organic they are ensuring that their turkey and ham have not been fed any GM ingredients! Animals on an organic farm have been raised to the highest animal welfare standards which is also a big plus for some organic shoppers.

If the stable ingredients in your shopping trolley are fresh, unprocessed food then consider going organic for competitive value on price, quality and taste!