The Organic Farming Scheme’s overall objective is to deliver enhanced environmental and animal welfare benefits and to encourage producers to respond to the market demand for organically produced food.

Eligibility:

• Meet the definition of “Active Farmer”.
• Be registered with the Organic Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
• Be registered with and be approved as an organic operator by one of the Organic Control Bodies (OCB’s) and hold a licence on or before date of submission of OFS application or at the latest hold a licence from the commencement date of their OFS contract.
• Be aged eighteen years or over on the date of application.
• Declare all land farmed in the applicant’s name on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS).
• Have already participated in Supplementary Measure 6 (SM6) of REPS 1, REPS 2 or REPS 3 or previous OFS or must successfully complete an Approved Training Course and upload the formal Certificate of successful completion on the on-line OFS Application System. In the case of a joint application, either participant may complete the course.
• Have a minimum organic farm area of 3 hectares, except for horticultural producers where the minimum organic farm area required is 1 hectare. Horticulture producers with an organic area less than 1 hectare must provide evidence of level of turnover to be considered for acceptance into the scheme.
• Reach a minimum ranking of 25 marks to be deemed eligible for consideration for inclusion in the scheme.