asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the structure which exists in his Department in relation to the professional, technical, administrative and advisory aspects of organic farming, including (1) cereals (2) meat (3) dairying and (4) organic horticulture; who is responsible; and the provisions which will be in place for the implementation and policing of the forthcoming EC regulation in this area.
Written Answers. - Organic Farming.
69.
Matters relating to organic farming which fall within the responsibility of my Department are dealt with by the same structures and personnel who deal with conventional farming. Education, research and advisory aspects are the responsibility of Teagasc.
A draft Commission proposal entitled "A Council Regulation concerning the methods of organic production of agricultural products and their indication on agricultural products and foodstuffs" is still under discussion. The proposal covers only products of plant origin but there is provision for extending it to other products at a later stage. The draft provides, inter alia, that member states shall take all necessary steps to implement it within one year of the regulation entering into force. The necessary administrative and legal arrangements will be put in place by my Department in the normal way.
70.
asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the subheads under which he will grant aid the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association to draw up a development plan and employ one full time co-ordinator-staff member.
There are no funds at my disposal out of which I could provide the aid requested. However at a recent meeting with officials of my Department details were given to a representative of the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association of the aid already available for recognised producer groups in the fruit and vegetable sector. Also, the Council Regulation on producer groups has recently been extended to Ireland in respect of potatoes, cereals, live bovine animals, beef and veal and live sheep and goats and sheep and goat carcases. Detailed rules for the application of the Regulation are at present being formulated in consultation with the EC Commission.