Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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541. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 460 of 28 March 2017, if he will extend the terms of reference for the review of aquaculture licensing to include an examination of the conflict of interest built into his Department's aquaculture licensing system and to the appeals system in order to respond to public concerns on this matter. [21639/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The aquaculture licensing system as currently constituted provides an appeals process through the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board. The function of the Board is to provide an independent authority for the determination of appeals against decisions made by me on aquaculture licence applications. As provided for under Section 23 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997, the Board consists of a Chairman and six other members.

The terms of reference of the independent review group for aquaculture licensing were published in December 2016 and I anticipate receipt of the group's report in the coming weeks. I am satisfied that the Group's terms of reference provide the Group with appropriate scope to address issues arising with the licensing system.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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542. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the objective bias built into his Department's aquaculture licensing system at every stage applies to his Department's system for awarding organic status to farmed salmon. [21640/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Marine aquaculture licence applications are considered by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.

As regards the award of organic status, this 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. In addition, all Organic Control Bodies are independently accredited by an external accreditation body.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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543. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will commission an independent review of his Department's procedures for awarding organic status to all forms of aquaculture to ensure full compliance with all EU regulations and to enable persons to have confidence in his Department's procedures. [21641/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The organic status of all aquaculture products 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. In addition, all Organic Control Bodies are independently accredited by the relevant accreditation body. On this basis, I am satisfied that an independent review is not necessary at this time.