The Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) provides financial support to farmers to encourage organic food production. The scheme aims to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and encourage farmers and producers to avail of opportunities and meet market demand.
The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environmental measure under the Department’s Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, extended to 2022. Tranche 1 of the OFS closed to farmers in May 2015, while Tranche 2 closed for applications in December 2015. Farmers entered a contract for a minimum of 5 years. Farmers could receive a standard payment rate of up to €220/ha/ year during the conversion period and up to €170/ha/year when the full organic status was achieved. Organic horticultural and tillage farmers had a higher payment rate available to them.
The contracts of participants in the OFS Tranche 1 and 2 will expire on December 31st, 2021.
The Department is now offering a one-year extension to December 31st, 2022, subject to participant agreement.
How do participants avail of the extension?
Participants must contact the Department via email to organic@agriculture.gov.ie or by registered post to Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co. Wexford, Y35 PN52 outlining their wish to apply for an extension to their Organic Farming Scheme contract.
Participants can avail of this off until December 13th. No late applications will be accepted.
