Pictured at the launch were Muiread Burke, Bríd Burke, Maam Cross Mart, Mairéad Quinn, Irish Organic Association, Breege Biggins, Western Organics Producer Organisation, and Siobhan Joyce, Maam Cross. Photo: Michael McLaughlin

Successful launch in Mayo of Western Organic Producer Organisation

Published: Wed 11 Mar 2026, 1:24 PM

The launch of the Western Organic Producer Organisation has taken place at the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport.

As organic farmers arrived they were treated to a range of organic produce from breads, humus, salad potatoes, milk and salmon, all certified organic from the west of Ireland.

Kevin Fagan, National Organic Training, Elaine Leavy, Teagasc, and Sean McGloin, National Organic Training. Photo by MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN

With over 5,500 farmers in organic and over half of those on the western seaboard, there was a vibrancy and huge interest in joining the group that will help farmers market both their breeding stock store and finished lambs in terms of organizing transport and dedicated sales of organic stock to enable it become a more profitable system of farming.

Michael McAndrew, Bangor Erris, Brendan O’Malley, Connemara, Enda Monaghan, Caherlistrane, Galway, and Thomas Joyce, Connemara. Photo by MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN

Following presentations from John Noonan and Shane O'Haire of Teagasc, there was a questions and answers session, during which issues such as carcase weights and building closer relationships with tillage farmers was discussed.

John Joyce, Maam Cross, Padraic Dunleavy, Foxhall; and Siobhan Joyce, Maam Cross. Photo by MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN

Of the 100 strong farmers who attended, many signed up at the event.

Jonathan Kenny, Martin Burke and Michael Burke, Clonbur. Photo by MICHAEL MCLAUGHLIN

The group is looking for new members who are producing high quality lamb, finishing lamb, along with hogget producers and buyers, with a particular focus on women farmers and younger farmers.