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Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today addressed the inaugural meeting of Organic Focus, the new national group which aims to drive the development of the Organic Sector in Ireland. In his address, the Minister stated that he hoped that the inaugural meeting marked the start of a new phase in the development of the Sector throughout Ireland.

The group is made up of representatives of the Department, Teagasc and Bord Bia as well as stakeholders from across the spectrum of the organic sector including Meat, Dairy, Poultry, Horticulture, Cereals and Aquaculture. Remarking on the range of participants, the Minister stated "With such a wide range of stakeholders, who are clearly committed to the Organic Sector, I have no doubt that this new Group will build on the hard work that has been done so far and strive to develop the Sector to its full potential."

Commenting on the task ahead for the group, the Minister stated "While there are challenges, if the focus is on identifying solutions where possible and developing strategies to achieve progress, the potential that exists can be realised for the benefit of all."

At the end of 2011 the estimated value of the Irish Organic market in 2011 was €100 million with 1,721 organic operators in Ireland and 52,390 hectares of land under organic production methods.