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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Organic Farming.

John Perry

Ceist:

216 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 165 of 10 October 2000 and the points raised in correspondence (details supplied), he will make a statement on the certification of organic produce. [22876/00]

As I stated in my reply to Question No. 73 of 10 October 2000 my Department has put proposals to the three bodies which had been approved to inspect organic crop produce under Regulation 2091-92, Demeter Standards Limited, Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and Organic Trust, for a unified inspection and certification system which will achieve this objective while allowing the three bodies to continue to operate their own arrangements, where their own members are concerned, as heretofore. There is no suggestion that the three bodies should cease to exist. I have already expressed my appreciation of the contribution they have made to the development of the organic sector and I look forward to working with them in the future.

Since putting its proposals to the three bodies, my Department has since had a number of meetings and other contacts with them to give further clarification. Furthermore, at their request, my Department has agreed to assist with funding to engage a facilitator to assist the three bodies in their negotiations with one another. A considerable amount of time and effort has been expended to date in endeavouring to assist the three bodies to arrive at a resolution of issues associated with the establishment of a unified inspection and certification system. I understand the three bodies are still considering my Department's proposals and I am hopeful for an early and positive response. As the new Regulation 1804/1999 has already come into effect, final decisions on the practical aspects of its application must be taken as a matter of urgency.

In relation to the question of standards to apply in Ireland, discussions have been held with the three organic farming bodies. A number of groups of organic producers have made approaches to my Department and discussions have also taken place with other bodies in the public and private sectors. Following these discussions, my Department has moved significantly to address a number of points which appeared to give rise to concern and has indicated that other issues may be considered subsequently by the organic development committee which is being established in accordance with the recommendation of the AgriFood 2010 committee. As a result, additional standards to those required by EU regulations will now apply to the organic livestock sector in Ireland.

I have to bear in mind, however, the fact that produce certified as organic by the competent authorities in other EU member states cannot be excluded from the Irish market. My Department's information, from direct contact with other competent authorities, is that at least six other member states are adopting national standards which are equivalent to those set down in Regulation 1804/1999 or are otherwise less restrictive than those recommended by the three Irish organic farming bodies. While private certification bodies in certain member states may apply their own additional standards, it will be open to producers and processors to obtain certification to the minimum national standard from the competent authorities in those states and to market their produce as organic throughout the EU. In the market for organic produce, as else where, the consumer ultimately make his or her own choices.
Issues relating to standards, and other matters relating to the organic food sector in Ireland, will of course form part of the deliberations of the organic development committee. I am seeking to ensure that the committee includes representatives of the widest interests in the organic sector – including those involved in production, marketing, distribution and retailing, as well as the areas of research, training, advice and regulation. The remit of the committee is to recommend a coherent developing strategy to achieve expansion in production, processing and marketing of Irish organic produce and to secure an increased share of the growing national and export markets; and to consider the broad actions necessary for the most advantageous long-term future development of the Irish organic sector while protecting its integrity. I envisage that the organic development committee will convene for the first time in the next few weeks.
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