Hi Santy, Ollie here. Sure I thought I'd just write to you this year, just to send you a letter really. I'm not asking for anything actually - that wouldn't be fair. I'm sure the cuts and the recession have hit you just as hard as the rest of us down here. Well, the rest of the 99% anyway.
(photo: orgnaic santa from earth first)
That's one thing that's given me a bit of heart Santy. That those Occupy people would actually, in Winter, stand up and say enough. Fair play to them, the occupiers are an inspiration to me: hopefully when I grow up, I'll be one of them. Well, that or an organic farmer anyway.
You know I'd really love, Santy, if the Department focused a bit more on organic. Like they did just a few years ago. Actually, the Department, the IFA, the rest of the farming press, the whole lot really. There seems to be something of a blind spot for it at the moment. Which is mad, because according to Teagasc research, only 14% of organic farms are non-viable, but 42% of conventional ones are. Weird , eh? And, sorry for going on about this Santy, but the costs of the inputs are only going to go up and up – wheat for feed, oil for making fertilizer, all those.
The Organic Trade Board – do you remember that one? Its been ages, hasn't it? This thing, once established, would actually be industry funded. It won't even cost the Department anything. The Department just need to get it going, and then its, well, gone. Its out of their hair. The organic industry seems to be ready to charge itself money to promote itself, and its taking, like, forever Santy. Just for the Department to get it off the ground. You know I'm not asking you for stuff this year, but that's more diluted than homeopathy – real value, eh?
And while we're on it, wouldn't it be great for all the little bits and pieces to be drawn together? You know, all the opportunities for training in organic farming. There's plenty for those converting, but what about for those who are already organic? Something like the Better Farms scheme, only, well, better I suppose. Just aimed at the organic farmers – lots of model farms, mentoring, targets, all those sorts of things, but connected and feeding into each other. What's the word? Oh yea, holistic.
Of course, a normal 3rd level organic farm and food business course, and a dedicated Teagasc organic horticulture advisor would be great. So would an AEOS scheme for 2012! I can always dream eh? That AEOS looked a bit mangy when it came in, but at the moment, its not even guaranteed for the coming year. With the REPS and Disadvantaged Area Payments cuts just announced there Mr Claus, the AEOS money might be much needed.
Now, I know this is an unusual suggestion, but could you imagine if food from AEOS farms was labeled as such, and sold at a little premium? That so should have happened with REPS Santy, but once it didn't REPS was seen as a cost. So they keep cutting it like they have claws Mr Claus.
I think CAP reform will really make organic more attractive, but I'm not sure if anyone is really noticing this Santy. Its all about greening in the EU these days, everyone says so – even those who give out about greening. There's the animal welfare, water frameworks and pesticides directives too. Its like the EU is trying to come up with ways to describe organic – to put together the whole package. But its already there! Its called, wait for it, organic farming!
The French seem to have really taken to it - 300 farms go organic each month. They see organic as a fast track to stuff that they have to do anyway. 80% of food served by the State in France will be organic in a few years. Imagine that?
Me, I'll settle for what me Da used to get, if that's not too much. An orange. Organic if you can.
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