Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1711. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 25 May 2017, his views on whether the criticism levelled against his Department in the recent EU audit of controls on organic foods can be applied also to so called organic farm salmon. [28828/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The audit undertaken last year by the EU of the controls applied by Ireland in the organic sector was extremely detailed and included a review of controls in the aquaculture sector. Overall, the audit team concluded that Ireland had a control system in place which laid down a clear division of tasks between the competent authority and the various control bodies, but that improvements were required in a number of areas. Many of these had already been identified by my own Department as part of its ongoing assessments and evaluations, and work was already underway to address them. In relation to aquaculture, the EU audit team had a number of specific recommendations to make, which were welcomed as constructive by my Department and which are being implemented.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1712. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to parliamentary question number 239 of 25 May 2017, if the payment of the certification fee directly to the organic control body by the operator means that the certification exercise cannot be considered independent and should be carried out by a State agency such as the Marine Institute. [28829/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In accordance with the governing EU Regulation, the Department, as the Competent Authority, has opted to delegate certification of organic operators to four Organic Control Bodies. This approach is in common with many other EU member states. The registration fee applying is entirely a matter between that organisation and its members. 

The Organic Control Bodies concerned are subject to supervision and ongoing monitoring by the Department. Furthermore all Organic Control Bodies must be accredited on an annual basis by the relevant accreditation body.  All of these controls are designed to ensure the independence of the certification process, which is also verified by EU audit, and I am satisfied that this independence is in no way compromised by payment of the relevant fee.