Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Food Industry.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

Mechanically recovered meat, MRM, is the product of a process designed to recover residual meat from the bones of slaughtered animals and poultry and has been permitted for use in human food under EU and national legislation for many years.

MRM is used in certain food products manufactured in Ireland, typically pigmeat products. The process is subject to specific public health requirements, particularly in relation to heat treatment of the MRM. In May 1998 my Department introduced legislation which prohibited the use of the bones of the vertebral columns of bovine, ovine and caprine animals in the production of MRM. One of the effects of this legislation was that commercial production of MRM from these species effectively ceased.

While my Department monitors the hygiene conditions attached to the production in Ireland of MRM, records of the amounts produced are not maintained. My Department is not aware of any commercial import trade in MRM.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

Standards for organic crop produce had been fixed since 1991 by EU Regulation 2092/91. When Regulation 2092/91 was extended to the livestock sector on 24 August my Department had proposed to adopt standards for such produce in accordance with the regulation.

However the standards in the regulation did not include all the requirements recommended by the three private bodies, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Organic Trust and Demeter Standards Limited. Following further discussions on this issue with interested parties, including the three private organic bodies and other stakeholders in the organic sector, my Department has indicated that it is prepared to set certain additional requirements and that others may be considered subsequently by the Organic Development Committee which I am establishing in accordance with the recommendation of the AgriFood 2010 committee. I am confident that the standards now being set for the organic sector will provide every reassurance to retailers and consumers as to the quality and integrity of Irish organic produce, without compromising the competitiveness of Irish organic producers. My objective is to ensure the continuing growth of the organic sector as part of mainstream farming in Ireland.

The AgriFood 2010 report recommended that a credible regulatory system be put in place for the organic sector and that the existing confusion between competing inspection bodies be ended. In response, I undertook to streamline the inspection arrangements. My objective is to ensure that all organic farmers and processors have ready access to the most efficient, transparent and consistent arrangements for inspection and certification. My Department has recently put proposals to the three private bodies for a unified inspection and certification system which will achieve this objective while allowing the three bodies to continue to operate their own private arrangements, where their own members are concerned, as heretofore. I understand that the three bodies are currently considering these proposals and I am hopeful for a positive response.

My Department will also implement the recommendation in the recent Bord Bia report on prospects for organic food in Ireland that there should be one clear national logo for organic food that can be used to market Irish organic food to both domestic and overseas consumers. I am confident that this measure will bring significant benefits to all Irish organic producers and processors.

(Mr. Walsh): I am in the process of establishing an Organic Development Committee as recommended in the AgriFood 2010 report. Invitations have issued to a number of organisations to nominate representatives to participate on this committee. This committee will have representatives of the widest interests in the organic sector, including those involved in production, marketing, distribution and retailing, as well as the areas of research, training, advice and regulation. I will be asking the committee to recommend a coherent development strategy to achieve expansion in production, processing and marketing of Irish organic produce and to secure an increased share of the growing national and export markets; and to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity.