Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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616. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the audit system for the Origin Green scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3770/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Origin Green is a voluntary sustainability programme operated  by Bord Bia, under which food manufacturers develop plans setting out clear measurable targets, in line with the Origin Green Sustainability Charter, in key areas such as greenhouse gas emissions,  energy conservation,  water management,  biodiversity, community initiatives and health and nutrition.  The sustainability plans are individual to each company.  Each plan is verified  by SGS, an independent third party which was awarded a contract by Bord Bia following a tender process.  SGS assess the individual plans against what is in the Charter and subsequently verify the annual progress report from the Origin Green member company against what was in their individual plan.  SGS have the capacity to conduct on-site visits as appropriate. 

Currently 225 food companies are fully verified Origin Green members.  These companies  have submitted sustainability plans that have been scrutinised by SGS. As verified members they are now required  to deliver on the targets in their individual plans.  Some 155 further companies have submitted sustainability plans which are at assessment stage.