2783. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a new organic farming scheme will open for applications in 2026 as many young farmers have incurred significant outlays in the expectation that a scheme will open this year and; if he will make a statement on the matter. [63366/26]

Under the current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to date the number of farmers in the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) has grown from 2,090 farmers in previous CAP programming period to 5,573 farmers. This represents an increase of 266% over 4 years.

In 2026 some 260 new entrants were approved into OFS, with these new entrants provided with funding on the basis of a 5-year contract, with the first 2-years for conversion at higher payment levels.