Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
796. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis and purpose of including a requirement that a farmer be part of a Bord Bia quality assurance scheme to secure entry to a departmental scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43585/21]
View answerThe Quality Assurance Schemes operated by Bord Bia were developed in response to the demands of the marketplace as an independently verified quality assurance mechanism. There is an increasing demand from purchasers for proof that produce is produced sustainably on farms that are certified members of an accredited Quality Assurance Scheme which is based on sustainability principles incorporating environmental, social and economic aspects.
The quality assurance logo gives the purchaser, both retail and end consumer, confidence that the product has been produced to the highest standards as it has been strictly audited on that basis.
Membership of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme was one of the eligibility criteria for the BEAM scheme operated by my Department in 2019.
Membership of the relevant QAS scheme is a proposed eligibility criteria for some livestock schemes in the next CAP in recognition of the increasing importance of verified quality assurance in maintaining Ireland's hard won reputation as a source of sustainably produced, high quality product internationally and in maintaining our competitiveness in key international markets.
Additionally, in the context of the proposals for the suckler carbon efficiency scheme, the carbon footprint measurement from the SBLAS sustainability audit is an important mechanism for measuring environmental performance of scheme participants.
