The organic status of operators in the food sector here in Ireland is certified by rigorous on-going assessment undertaken on behalf of my Department by designated Organic Control Bodies. My Department remains the Competent Authority under EU regulations but has delegated the certification function to those independent control bodies, in accordance with the relevant EU regulations and in common with the practice in many other countries across the EU. The control bodies in question act under formal service agreements with my Department and are themselves subject to audit by my Department, by INAB (the Irish National Accreditation Board) and by the various EU audit authorities.
The certification process for establishing organic status, which includes regular inspection, is financed through membership-subscriptions paid by all organic operators and through a service-payment from my Department to help defray costs. Again, this is normal practice throughout the EU.
In the case of the company mentioned, recent audits undertaken as part of this certification process have given no reason to withdraw its organic status.
