Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way she plans to improve compliance with rules regarding the advertising of organic produce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40590/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of the European Communities (Organic Farming) Regulation 2004 (SI No. 112 of 2004) gave my Department powers to prosecute contraventions of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 on organic production and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. So far, my Department has successfully prosecuted one operator for an offence for labelling product in contravention of these Regulations.

My Department is committed to ensuring that consumers can have full confidence in the organic food they buy. For that reason, extra resources have been assigned to the Organic Unit earlier this year. My officials are now systematically inspecting retail outlets, including supermarkets, shops and farmers' markets, checking to ensure that all product identified as organic has been produced fully in accordance with the organic regulations.

Consumers can play an important part in identifying traders and retailers who may be trying to abuse the Regulations governing the organic sector. My officials will carry out full and rigorous investigations in any such cases and will bring prosecutions where appropriate.