| February 13, 2004,
organic-research.com (Press release: Department of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Development, Ireland): Mr. Noel
Treacy, Minister of State at the Irish Department of Agriculture
and Food, today announced that he had approved seven organic
demonstration farms in line with a recommendation from
the National Steering Group for the Organic Sector. The
farms are being established initially on a pilot basis
for one year and have been selected to demonstrate a variety
of organic farming methods.
“This is a positive development for the organic
sector as these farms will provide an opportunity for
both existing and potential organic operators to visit
first-class facilities and see production and management
techniques at first hand,” said Minister Treacy.
The approval of demonstration farms is in response
to a recommendation contained in the Report of the Organic
Development Committee, presented to the Minister in
April 2002. The selected farmers will get an annual
payment for facilitating a number of focus visits/farm
walks, in 2004. They will also participate in the Teagasc
National Farm Survey and the Teagasc Monitor Farm Network,
thus providing valuable financial and practical production
data for the ongoing development of the sector.
Over 60 organic farmers applied for demonstration status.
The following are the farms selected:
- Mr. Peter D Quinn, Castleruddery, Donard, Co Wicklow
- Horticulture
- Mr. David Notley, Aughamore Organic Farm, Carrick-on-Shannon,
Co Leitrim - Mixed Farming
- Mr. Ernest Mackey, Ballinclea, Donard, Co Wicklow
- Mixed Farming
- Mr. James Mulhall, Coolanowle, Ballickmoyler, Co
Carlow - Mixed Farming
- Mr. & Mrs. Fintan & Valerie Rice, Everardsgrange,
Fethard, Co Tipperary - Dairying
- Mr. Stuart Kingston, Forrest House, Farnanes, Co
Cork - Tillage
- Mr. & Mrs. Ben & Charlotte Colchester, Drumeen,
The Islands, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny - Poultry
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