Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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965. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the procedures operated by his Department for organic designation of salmon farms are so flawed that the organic label is nothing more than a greenwash marketing tactic for inducing the public to pay higher prices for farmed salmon. [24753/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to make very clear that the procedures operated by my Department are designed to ensure that the highest standards apply to all areas of Irish organic production. The award of organic status is secured by a formal certification process delegated by my Department to various Organic Control Bodies in accordance with the relevant EU regulations. The certification process involves regular inspection of all organic operators, production techniques and sampling of organic produce to ensure compliance with all EU requirements.

The inspection process for producers of organic salmon is extremely detailed and includes adherence to a range of core organic principles, as well as stocking levels, feeding practice, caging standards, traceability and fish-welfare & husbandry amongst other things. Organic aquaculture sites are also subject to the standard inspection regime applying to conventional producers by the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In addition, all Organic Control Bodies are independently accredited by an external accreditation body.

In 2016, the certification system for organic salmon in Ireland was included in a comprehensive audit by the EU of the controls applied by Ireland in the Organic Sector generally. The EU audit team made some recommendations which have been implemented and which further strengthened our control system across the board. I am satisfied therefore that the integrity of the organic label in Ireland is fully intact.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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966. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the failure of a salmon farm operator to notify his Department of an outbreak of disease as required by the licence conditions would preclude that operator from holding the organic status label. [24754/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Organic operators are required to implement systems to manage health and disease outbreaks in accordance with governing regulations. Such operators are also required to notify their relevant Organic Control Body of disease outbreaks including notification of treatments of stock.

Depending on the circumstances, any breach of such requirements may possibly impact on the organic certification of an organic operator. However, such breaches would have to be assessed on a case by case basis by the Organic Control Body in the first instance.