A new organic producer group is looking for members.

The Western Organic Producer Organisation launched in Westport, Co. Mayo recently.

There are over 5,500 farmers in organics and over half of those are on the western seaboard.

There was said to be a "vibrancy and huge interest" in joining the group at the launch event.

Market

The organisation aims to help farmers market both their breeding stock store and finished lamb, in terms of "organising transport and dedicated sales of organic stock to enable it become a more profitable system of farming".

Following presentations from John Noonan and Shane O'Haire of Teagasc at the event, issues such as carcass weights and building closer relationships with tillage farmers was discussed.

Of the 100 farmers that attended, many signed up on the night, according to the organisation.

New members

The group is looking for new members that are "producing high-quality lamb, finishing lamb, along with hogget producers and buyers".

The organisation has a particular focus on encouraging women and young farmers to join.

The group said a special breeding and store lamb sale will be held in Maam Cross Mart on Sunday, August 23.

Teagasc's John Noonan who is chairing the group said there is a "real positivity" around its formation.

He said the group now has around 70-80 members.

Noonan described the farmers involved as "leaders" who are "producing real quality product".

He added that organic farming is making a "huge difference" in hill areas, "in keeping families in rural areas".

Noonan said these farmers are also "delivering on water quality, on biodiversity and climate change".

Along with commending the work of Breege Biggins in getting the organisation up and running, Noonan said the "catalyst" for starting it was the Department of Agriculture's Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations Scheme.

Organic Farming Scheme

269 farmers are due to participate in the latest tranche of the Organic Farming Scheme this year.

Ireland's Climate Action Plan has a target of 10% of land area farmed organically by 2030.

The Organic Farming Scheme is an agri-environment measure under the department's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan which is co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the EU.

The scheme provides financial support for farmers converting to or maintaining organic production.

Organic farmers must be registered with a certification body, be over 18, attend a 25-hour training course in their first year of farming organically.

They must also submit a Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application form annually and comply with organic standards.