Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Organic Farming.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

115 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress that has been made in discussions with the three private sector organic food certification bodies on the definition of adequate standards for organic foods and certification of producers and products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/00]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

151 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will move back the deadline for agreeing new arrangements with the organic movement by one year to ensure this sector is enhanced by a consensus over the new arrangements rather than damaged by acrimony. [23349/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 151 together.

Standards for organic crop produce had been fixed since 1991 by EU Regulation 2092/91. This regulation was supplemented by Regulation No. 1804/99 on 24 August, which set standards for organic livestock produce and my Department had proposed to adopt standards for such produce in accordance with the regulation.

Following further discussions on this issue with interested parties including the three private organic bodies and other stakeholders in the organic sector, my Department has moved significantly to address a number of points of concern in relation to the origin of animals and the minimum conversion period. Other issues may be considered subsequently by the organic development committee.

I am confident that the standards now being set for the organic sector will provide every reassurance to retailers and consumers as to the quality and integrity of Irish organic produce, without compromising the competitiveness of Irish organic producers. My objective is to ensure the continuing growth of the organic sector as part of mainstream farming in Ireland.

The agrifood 2010 report included a recommendation that a credible regulatory system be put in place for the organic sector and that the existing confusion between competing inspection bodies be ended. In response, I undertook to streamline the inspection arrangements. My objective is to ensure that all organic farmers and processors have ready access to the most efficient, transparent and consistent arrangements for inspection and certification. My Department has recently put proposals to the three private bodies, the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Organic Trust and Demeter Standards Limited, for a unified inspection and certification system which will achieve this objective while allowing the three bodies to continue to operate their own private arrangements, where their own members are concerned, as heretofore. I understand that the three bodies are currently considering these proposals and I am hopeful for a positive response.