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 The Paris region will increase by 3 organic surfaces in three years

PARIS (AFP) - The Ile-de-France will present Thursday a plan to develop organic farming in Ile-de-France to triple organic surfaces in three years, announced Monday its Vice-President ( green) for the Environment Michael Vampouille.

The Ile-de-France has only 84 structures certified organic farming, for a market of 12 million consumers and consumption of organic produce up 10% per year for 10 years in France.

Although "more than 50% of the Paris area is agricultural, there is a problem of land supply.

"The market for agricultural land free of lease is quite low, about 500 hectares per year, while achieving the expected tripling the Grenelle Environment Forum should be only 3 to 5,000 hectares per year are converted in farming, "he said during a news conference.

"Finally reaches the state", the region aims to "increase the minimum 10 for 2020 acreage to organic.

There is also pursuing the introduction of organic products in canteens of schools, a pilot is underway in 25 settlements.

Organic farmers will have priority when a land opportunity arises.

An inventory of available land will be achieved and help maintain organic farming (700,000 euros per hectare in 2009) will be evaluated in consultation with operators.

A milk industry will be organized and doctorates in the bio funded.

In total, over 3 million euros per year will be devoted to this plan.

The State will in turn raise the appropriations under the project contracts State-Region and its services, particularly those of regional and inter-Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DRIAAF) and Department of departmental equipment and agriculture (DDEA).

It will fund 100% for a feasibility study for the plant in organic vegetable cluster in Ile-de-France.

The state will also help the conversion and maintenance of farms by the payment of state aid in the conversion to organic farming (CAB) and the doubling of the tax credit (maximum 4,000 EUR / farm / year).

AFP - June 15, 2009