Ireland’s minister for food and horticulture is launching an organic feasibility study in the region of Kerry, according to the Irish Times.
Trevor Sargent announced the €30 million (£23m) study, which aims to identify market opportunities for organic firms, encourage new entrants into the category and increase the number of organic producers and processors in the county.
Sargent said: “I would hope that a model of best practice can be developed here in Kerry that could be replicated in other areas.”
Green Party TD welcomed the move by South Kerry Development Partnership as highly relevant, given the government’s aim to achieve five per cent of the land area under organic production by 2012.
Since 2005 there has been an increase in land under organic production of more than 26 per cent.
The Irish organic market is now estimated to be worth €104m, compared to €66m two years ago.
Sargent added: “It is clear, however, that we still have a long way to go to reach the target, but at least we are heading in the right direction. The opportunity clearly exists for Ireland to increase the level of home production as opposed to imported organic produce.”
