Organic Farming

Flahavans

An important user of organic oats grown in Ireland is Flahavans, a family business now in its sixth generation. There has been an oats mill at Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford since the late 1700's. An oatflaking facility was added in 1935. Today Flahavan's Progress Oatlets is an increasingly popular choice for breakfast in Ireland and abroad. Flavahans dominates the warm breakfast category in Ireland with their famous porridge and the company is also growing their exports to the UK and USA (www.flahavans.com).

Copyright Irish Farmers Journal

Flahavans
Copyright Irish Farmers Journal

Flahavans

An important user of organic oats grown in Ireland is Flahavans, a family business now in its sixth generation. There has been an oats mill at Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford since the late 1700's. An oatflaking facility was added in 1935. Today Flahavan's Progress Oatlets is an increasingly popular choice for breakfast in Ireland and abroad. Flavahans dominates the warm breakfast category in Ireland with their famous porridge and the company is also growing their exports to the UK and USA (www.flahavans.com).

Copyright Irish Farmers Journal

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Organic Farming is a specific system of farming that aims to produce quality food in a manner beneficial to the environment and to wildlife. Organic farmers practice farming in accordance with standards, which have been formulated for crop and livestock production. The purpose of these standards is to develop a system of farming that co-exists with other systems, sustains soil fertility and protects the environment, wildlife and non-renewable resources. The use of pesticides and herbicides is therefore prohibited. 

Farmers interested in converting to organic status should contact the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA), which provides certification for farmers, growers, processors and retailers (www.iofga.org). Consumers purchasing products that claim to be organic should check that it carries the required certification.

The current national policy guiding organic farming is the Review of Organic Food Sector and Strategy for its Development 2019-2025. More information on organic farming can be found on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website.