Bruno Le Maire, the French Minister for Agriculture has pledged a spend of EUR6m (US$8.3m) for the country’s organic sector.

Attending a Grand Council Orientation Agency meeting on Wednesday (28 September), Le Maire announced a target of converting 30% more farmers to organic than was achieved in 2009.

In total, in 2010, over EUR100m will be dedicated to organic production, the Department of Agriculture said, including EUR10m for conversions initiated this year.

Le Maire said he had identified a flexibility in the budget to support the converstions, and to allow for each project to be completed.

Around EUR10m has been devoted to the structuring of organic chains since 2008 in France.