ICSA Organics chair Fergal Byrne has said consideration must be given to changing the Organics Scheme requirements around housing winter cattle so that housing in existing slatted sheds can be facilitated. “We have lots of ambition when it comes to targets for organic farming but there are barriers to making that transition and these barriers need to be addressed,” he said. 

“For livestock farmers one of the biggest barriers is the fact that cattle cannot housed in slatted sheds and that straw must be used as bedding. This is a real impediment for many due to the scarcity of straw and massive cost associated to converting yards and sheds to suit the Organics Scheme.

Mr Byrne said the shortage of straw predicted for later in the year needs to focus minds on these challenges. “Weather conditions have been very unfavourable leading to lower yields, so we know straw is going to be in short supply and it is likely to be expensive too. We also know that many cattle and sheep farmers are in dire straits financially due to high input costs and relentless processor price cuts so it makes sense to do everything we can to make switching to organics that bit more achievable.”

“While there are limitations on what we can do because of EU regulations on organic production there is the scope at a national level to make these changes. We need more farmers choosing to farm organically and removing the obstacles that are preventing farmers from switching must be a priority.”