Organic News
Cavan IFA branch propose organic sub committee
At a July meeting of the Cavan branch of the IFA, a motion was passed to bring forward to the IFA's national executive. The motion was to establish an organic farming sub-committee. There were over one hundred delegates in attendance, and the motion was passed unanimously.
The event itself was an encouraging one from an organic perspective. Richard Moeran, chair of the Cavan IFA is in fact an organic farmer himself.
A highlight of the event included a presentation on the new Organics with Altitude project by Tipperary based organic farmer Joe Condon. Joe runs the successful Omega Beef Direct food business from his own hill farm in Tipperary. The project aims to convince hill farmers of the merits of going organic, as well as following a detailed 'conception to consumption' protocol, and producing a branded, marketed surplus. Joe, who is also a member of the IFA, proposed the organic sub-committee.
There were also presentations by Justin McCarthy (Irish Farmers' Journal) and Kevin Kinsella (IFA livestock committee) and Elaine Leavy. Elaine is the Teagasc organic advisor for the region, who presented on converting to organic farming. Both Elaine and Richard reported significant interest in conversion after the event.
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