Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
553. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is co-equivalence in organic certification standards between Ireland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25670/23]
View answerThe Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) between the European Union and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), which entered into force on 1st May 2021, establishes a reciprocal recognition of equivalence of the current organic legislation and control system of both parties to that agreement.
The co-equivalence for certification standards is applicable to products that are unprocessed agricultural or aquaculture products produced in the United Kingdom or processed agricultural products for use as food or feed that have been processed in the United Kingdom with ingredients that have been grown in the United Kingdom or that have been imported into the United Kingdom in accordance with United Kingdom laws and regulations.
An exception to the above is currently in place and relates to organic feed for pigs and poultry from Northern Ireland. Some 95% organic feed for pigs and poultry is allowed of all age, is currently in place for a maximum of 12 months, from 24th February 2023 until 23rd February 2024. This exception is not allowed in the EU.
The TCA will be reassessed at the end of this year taking into account the new EU rules for organic production which came into force on 1st January 2022.
