Origin Green Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Questions (457)

Clare Daly

Question:

457. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 7 December 2017, if he will commission an independent review of the operation of An Bord Bia's origin green programme in view of the inclusion in the programme of salmon farms operated by a company (details supplied) despite multiple investigations by his Department for breaches of licence conditions; and if this situation is representative of other food producers covered by the programme. [3247/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Origin Green is the national sustainability programme for the Irish food and drink industry.

Participating companies within the programme sign up on a voluntary basis. As part of the membership requirements, companies must develop a multi-annual sustainability plan with time-bound targets. This plan is then independently assessed and verified by a third party auditing and conformance body. It is then reassessed annually to ensure minimum performance requirements are being met. Should a company fail to meet these minimum standards, membership of Origin Green is revoked.

All members of Origin Green must comply with legislative requirements and evidence is sought from the independent programme auditors to ensure compliance.