Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1056. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persons who use sludge for the growth of energy crops can still qualify for quality assurance in view of the fact the crop does not enter the food chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13560/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Bord Bia Quality Mark can be applied to food that has been produced to the highest Bord Bia quality standards, and provides quality assurance to the food chain and is a critical element of both our national and international marketing agenda.

The quality assurance standards that must be complied with are drawn up by a panel of experts selected from various parts of the industry/supply chain and include independent scientific and food safety expertise. The main areas covered by the standards at the farm level include traceability, animal welfare, care for the environment and safe use of medicines and chemicals.

Under the quality assurance standards, sewage sludge cannot be used on any land owned or managed by a Quality Assurance member.