Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
512. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will withdraw the organic label from shellfish in the interest of public health until the levels of microplastics in farmed shellfish here can be assessed. [43803/18]
View answerMy Department is advised by the Marine Institute that while it is clear from several studies that micro-plastics are present in the environment and can be filtered by bivalve shellfish, there is little evidence of the impact on human health of such micro-plastic pollution.
Applications for aquaculture licences are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation.
The licensing process includes a period of statutory and general public consultation in respect of applications and licensing decisions are made following the fullest consideration of all aspects of each application including environmental, technical and public interest aspects.
My Department remains the Competent Authority under EU regulations but has delegated the certification function to Organic Control Bodies, in accordance with the relevant EU regulations and in common with the practice in many other countries across the EU. The organic status of operators in the food sector including shellfish and finfish here in Ireland is certified by rigorous on-going assessment undertaken on behalf of my Department by these Organic Control Bodies. The control bodies in question act under formal service agreements with my Department and are themselves subject to audit by my Department, by INAB (the Irish National Accreditation Board) and by the various EU audit authorities.
Based on the fact that there is little evidence on the impact on human health of such micro-plastic pollution I have no plans at present to withdraw the organic label from shellfish.
