Aquaculture Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2017

Tuesday, 26 September 2017

Questions (426)

Clare Daly

Question:

426. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 1712 of 20 June 2017, in view of the non-compliance with licence conditions by the country's largest salmon farm operator, his views on whether the time has come to delegate certification of organic operators to a public body such as the Marine Institute or the National Parks and Wildlife Service in order to protect the integrity of the organic label. [40385/17]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In accordance with the governing EU Regulation, the Department as the Competent Authority has opted to delegate the certification of organic operators to four Organic Control Bodies. This approach is in common with many other Member States.

The Organic Control Bodies concerned are subject to supervision and ongoing monitoring by the Department. Furthermore the Organic Control Bodies must be accredited on an annual basis by the relevant accreditation body. All of these controls are designed to ensure the independence of the certification process, which is also verified by EU audit. I am satisfied therefore that the integrity of the organic label is protected.