Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
1712. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Question No. 239 of 25 May 2017, if the payment of the certification fee directly to the organic control body by the operator means that the certification exercise cannot be considered independent and should be carried out by a State agency such as the Marine Institute. [28829/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with the governing EU Regulation, the Department, as the Competent Authority, has opted to delegate certification of organic operators to four Organic Control Bodies. This approach is in common with many other EU member states. The registration fee applying is entirely a matter between that organisation and its members.
The Organic Control Bodies concerned are subject to supervision and ongoing monitoring by the Department. Furthermore all Organic Control Bodies must be accredited on an annual basis by the relevant accreditation body. All of these controls are designed to ensure the independence of the certification process, which is also verified by EU audit, and I am satisfied that this independence is in no way compromised by payment of the relevant fee.
