Vol. 527 No. 3
86 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the progress being made to arrive at a consensus on the best way of developing the organic sector here; and if, in view of the fact that organic growers and farmers register from November to the following November, he will indicate that no changes will be effected to cause uncertainty mid-way through the organic year. [28398/00]
An organic development committee has been established, on foot of a recommendation by the Agri Food 2010 committee, to draw up a coherent strategy for the development of the organic sector.
The organic development committee has representatives of the widest interests in the organic sector including those involved in production, marketing and distribution as well as in areas of research, training, advice and regulation. The Consumers Association is represented, as is the Food Safety Authority.
The committee held its first meeting on Monday 27 November 2000 and established three sub-groups who will report back to the organic development committee.
The sub-groups will recommend standards on animal housing, poultry numbers and withdrawal periods for animal medicine;examine issues relating to quality assurance, marketing and development of a national label for organic produce and identify priorities in the areas of research, advice, training and education.
The committee will place an advertisement in the national press shortly inviting interested parties to make submissions. These submissions will ensure that the deliberations of the committee will be guided by views from the widest possible representation in the organic business.
I have asked the committee to make its recommendations to me by April 2001.
Any changes that may be introduced next year will not cause uncertainty mid-way through the organic year. I have extended the interim inspection and certification arrangements, whereby Demeter Standards Limited, Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and Organic Trust Limited carry out the inspection and certification of organic produce, from 31 December this year to 31 March 2001. There is no objection to the three organic bodies renewing licences to 31 December 2001 and any new arrangements that may be put in place in 2001 will not affect the validity of those licences.
