Vol. 530 No. 5
3 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development when he will establish the organic development committee; if he will withdraw or postpone the proposed changes to the certifications system as advocated by the Agrifood 2010 Committee, until the organic development committee is established and the recommendations of that committee have been considered. [3988/01]
I established the Organic Development Committee in November 2000 and its first meeting took place on 27 November 2000. A further meeting of the committee took place on 23 January last and three sub-groups of the committee, with specific terms of reference, have also had a number of meetings. I have asked the committee to report to me in April.
The Organic Development Committee has a specific remit outlined in its terms of reference as follows, "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, to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity". My Department's proposals to streamline the inspection and certification system are not within the remit of the Organic Development Committee and are being dealt with separately.
While I welcome the Minister of State's reply in relation to setting up the committee, he should note what the committee outlines as far as the future of organic agricultural production is concerned. Will he withdraw or postpone the proposed changes to the certification system advocated by the Agrifood 2010 Committee. Given that these proposed changes to the certification system did not bear in mind the wishes and recommendations of the Organic Development Committee, will he state when he will make a decision on the certification system enacted by the Department in relation to the future of organic agriculture?
The Agrifood 2010 Committee recommended that a credible regulatory system must be put in place and that existing confusion between competing inspection bodies must end. As the Deputy will be aware, there are three different bodies, Demeter Standards Limited, Organic Trust and the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association. There are three separate standards and three separate applications. It was recommended by the Agrifood 2010 Committee that these be joined into one and there were discussions with these committees in that regard. Agreement was reached, by and large, but the Organic Trust, not the other two groups, referred one or two issues for judicial review and the matter is now in the High Court. The issue is now in the hands of the judge and I look forward to the outcome of the judicial review.
Will the Minister of State agree that the proposals advocated by the Agrifood 2010 Committee were not in line with the proposals of the Organic Development Committee? No one knows more about the production of organic food than the Organic Development Committee whose members are pioneers of the organic food industry in this country. Before proceeding with the system advocated by the Agrifood 2010 Committee, will he bear in mind the sound advice he is receiving from the Organic Development Committee which has years of experience in the business? He should not be led by the Agrifood 2010 Committee, some of whose members have not had any input to organic food production in the past decade. The Minister should make a wise decision and take on board what the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association have advocated to him as a successful system for organic food production. It will be of immense benefit.
I am confused by Deputy Sheehan's remarks. We have established an organic development committee to consider the development of the organic industry. From which committee am I to take advice? Is it the Irish Organic Trust, Demeter Standards Limited or the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association? A dispute arose because of the three groups involved. I appreciate that one group contacted the Deputy, but I must also listen to what the other two groups have to say.
The matter is now subject to High Court regulation. The committee we have established is a high powered one and comprises consumers, retailers and producers, including the IFA and the ICMSA. We hope it will find a way forward where all can act in unison.
The Minister of State is living on cloud nine on this issue.
Clouds have nothing to do with organic production.
