Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the regulations that are in place to ensure that vegetables with an organic label are actually organically grown. [38261/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The organic sector is governed by Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91, as amended. The only food that may be labelled organic is food produced in accordance with the EU regulation and, in some instances, with additional standards for Ireland set down in the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulations 2004. Under these regulations, a person who falsely labelled a product as organic would be liable for prosecution. The regulations provide for fines of up to €3,000 or a term of imprisonment.

Consumers already have a high degree of trust in the integrity of the organic production system and it is essential to preserve that trust. For that reason, I am determined that any instances of false labelling will be vigorously pursued and dealt with.