Sufficient processing capacity for current organic supply - Heydon
Consideration may be given to support further development of smaller abattoirs/processors, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon said.
Minister Heydon said that small and medium abattoirs have come under the supervision of his department since January 2025.
"I recognise the important role that these facilities play in the fabric of rural Ireland and in providing an alternative slaughtering capacity outlet for local butchers and farmers, including those engaged in organic production," the minister said.
He was responding to questions from Sinn Féin TD Conor D McGuinness.
The deputy asked the minister "if he acknowledges that certain regions now have no viable access to certified organic slaughter facilities".
He also asked if the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine conducted an assessment of "regional slaughter capacity in light of organic expansion targets".
Processing
"Currently there is sufficient processing capacity to accommodate the current organic supply and demand for beef and lamb," Minister Heydon said.
"It is expected that, as demand increases in line with our organic expansion targets, consideration may be given to support further development of smaller abattoir/processors."
Deputy McGuinness asked Minister Heydon about "contingency planning that exists when a single plant suspension removes processing access for small producers".
The minister said given current capacity, "I do not consider that a contingency plan for a plant suspension is warranted currently".
Organic targets
Ireland's National Organic Strategy to 2030 sets out projections and targets for the growth of the organic sector in Ireland.
The report states that "significant growth is anticipated in livestock output over the lifetime of this strategy".
"Two key drivers will dictate developments, namely the number and scale of farms and the level of leakage to conventional.
"Based on the assumption that leakage is reduced to less than 10% by 2030 and that cattle numbers on organic farms treble over the period, it is projected that organic beef output will exceed 12,000 tonnes.
"Based on the assumption that leakage levels can be reduced to less than 50% by 2030 and the numbers of sheep on organic farms shows a fourfold increase, it is projected that lamb output will approach 3,000 tonnes.
"Based on the assumption of positive demand for organic milk for processing and increased processing capacity, it is projected that organic milk output could double by 2030 to around 40 million litres annually."
