Dáil Éireann - Volume 535 - 03 May, 2001

Written Answers - Organic Farming.

Mr. Sargent Mr. Sargent

99. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the direct financial support which has been given to State and non-State organisations which promote organic farming in the past three years. [12626/01]

Mr. Walsh Mr. Walsh

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh): In the past three years £112,131 has been spent by Bord Bia, Bord Glas and the Western Development Commission on the promotion of organic farming. It has not been possible in the time available to confirm the amount spent by Teagasc and my officials will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Under my Department's Operational Programme for Agriculture, Rural Development and Forestry 1994-1999, grant assistance was also provided to the following organisations involved in the promotion of organic farming:

1050

[1050] The operational programme came to an end in December 1999 and, accordingly, there was no provision for such grants to be made in 2000.

In addition my Department made the following payments to the three organic farming bodies towards the cost of inspecting operators in the organic crop sector in accordance with the provisions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91:

Dáil Éireann 535 Written Answers Organic Farming.

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