Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) Open for New Entrants - plus details of organic courses being held

News | 10 Mar 2011

Farmers and growers who wish to convert to organic production can avail of payments under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) - the scheme re-opened to new entrants on March 3rd 2011 and the closing date for applications in 2011 is May 16th 2011. The scheme is also open to organically certified operators whose REPS 3 contracts are fully completed or organic operators in REPS 4 who have not yet made application for payment under the OFS or organic operators who have never availed of any payments under REPS. A very limited time is available in 2011 to apply for entry to the scheme. Each new entrant to the organic sector is required to do three things: Firstly, new applicants ought to register with the Organic Trust Ltd - simply phone 01 8530271 and request a Producer Application Pack. Secondly, each new entrant to the organic sector must ensure that they have completed the Fetac Level 5 Training Course and is in receipt of a certificate of attendance before June 30th 2011. See below for details of the dates of the next round of nationwide courses! Thirdly, new applicants and applicants whose REPS 3 contracts are completed or farmers currently in REPS 4 must complete an OFS (Organic Farming Scheme) application form which must be forwarded to the Organic Unit, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford by May 16th 2011 at the latest. The form must be accompanied by the documentation specified on the application form itself. Follow the links below for the terms and conditions of the new scheme; the official DAFF OFS application form and the official template for the business plan (which must be used). Early application is advisable!! We urge new entrants NOT to wait until the May 16th 2011 deadline to apply for a licence from the Organic Trust Ltd - applications are being accepted by the Organic Trust Ltd NOW for entry to the 2011 scheme. This means that the sooner we receive your application, the sooner you can be inspected and certified. You are GUARANTEED your full two year's in-conversion payments at the higher rate if you submit your application any time from March 3rd 2011 until May 16th 2011, however, registering early means that any problems can be resolved in advance of the deadline.

Organic Training Course - Compulsory for New Entrants to the Organic Sector

As indicated above, new entrants to the organic farming sector must complete an approved Fetac Level 5 (or equivalent*) 25 hour organic course (and forward a certificate of attendance to the Organic Unit of the Department of Agriculture by June 30th 2011 at the latest).  New entrants must also complete a business plan (completion of the requisite business plan forms an integral part of the approved 25 hour course) - details of the approved organic courses are available from Elaine Leavy, Teagasc Grange, 087 9853285; James McDonnell, Teagasc Oakpark, 087 3293820; Dan Clavin, Teagasc Athenry, 087 9368506 and Pat Barry, Teagasc Moorepark, 087 2138331.  The next tranche of organic courses which will allow new operators to qualify for payments under the OFS (Organic Farming Scheme) are outlined below or click here for details:

Kilmallock - Commencing Tuesday March 29th 2011 and Killarney commencing Wednesday March 30th 2011 (phone Pat Barry for details - number above)
Castlerea - Commencing Tuesday March 29th 2011 and Ennis commencing Thursday March 31st 2011 (phone Dan Clavin for details - number above).
Sligo - Commencing Monday March 28th 2011 and Ballyhaise commencing Friday April 1st 2011 (phone Elaine Leavy for details - phone number above)
Mullinavat - Commencing Thursday March 31st 2011 and Oakpark commencing Friday April 1st 2011 (phone James McDonnell for details - phone number above).

Farmers currently in REPS 3, REPS 4 or NOT in any REPS scheme

Producers who are already farming organically under REPS 3 and who are in possession of a current organic licence can avail of payments under the Organic Farming Scheme provided their REPS 3 contract is fully completed.  Producers who are currently in REPS 4 but who did NOT make application for payment under the Organic Farming Scheme at the same time as their entry to REPS 4 can now make application for payment under the new scheme.  Finally, organically certified operators who have never availed of payments under REPS can now make application for payment under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) provided they can comply with the application criteria and submit a completed OFS application form to the Organic Unit of DAFF by May 16th 2011 at the latest.

Business Plan Template

Current organically certified operators wishing to make application for payment under the Organic Farming Scheme are exempted from completing the mandatory 25 hour training course, however, there is a requirement to complete a short business plan which must be submitted with OFS application documentation - the template for the business plan is available by clicking on http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/organicfarming/organicsscheme/organicfarmingscheme2007-2013/OFS%20Business%20Plan.pdf

Terms and Conditions plus Official Application Form for OFS (Organic Farming Scheme)

Further information on the scheme, including the relevant terms and conditions plus the template for the required business plan, is available from the Organic Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food at Johnstown Castle - 053 91 63465 or alternatively full details of the scheme can be downloaded by clicking http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/organicfarming/organicsscheme/organicfarmingscheme2007-2013/TermsandConditionsincludingAddendaof3March2011.pdf and the application form for availing of payments can be downloaded by clicking
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/farmingsectors/organicfarming/organicsscheme/organicfarmingscheme2007-2013/OFS%20Organic%20Farming%20Scheme%20Application%20Form%20OFS1%20REv%201%2028%201%2010.pdf

*If you have already completed a course in organic management and are unsure if it is deemed to be equivalent for the purpose of qualifying for payment under the OFS (Organic Farming Scheme), simply telephone the Organic Unit, Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food for clarification 053 91 63465.

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