2602. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department have plans to increase investments towards developing suitable markets for the projected increase in organic produce coming into the market in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57266/26]

In response to targeted investment under the CSP, the number of farms in organic production in Ireland has increased almost threefold over 5 years, to almost 5,600.

The National Organic Strategy 2024-2030 sets a number of key priorities for the development of the wider sector including capital supports for processing, supply chain developments, to retain food in the organic food chain, research, training and market development.

In 2025 I announced the awarding of €3 Million in funding over 3 years to ten projects for the development of the organic sector under the National Organic Strategy. These projects cover a range of strategic areas including research via Teagasc, training, via The Organic Academy, Marketing via Bord Bia's More-ganic Campaign, along with several sectoral projects to develop and coordinate Short Food Supply Chains in organic livestock, organic horticulture and organic dairy. Bórd Bia, supported by Ireland and the EU Commission, is delivering a three year €2.7 million EU Organic Beef & Lamb B2B Campaign to grow the export market, where demand continues to grow. My Department meets regularly with the Organic Forum to review progress on the strategy and action plan.

A number of organic farming events will take place in Ireland during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

My Department is also leading the negotiation process between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission on the targeted legislative amendments to the EU Organic Regulations on Production and Labelling, which are essential to provide certainty for trade in organic products with 3rd country markets.