Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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369. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 24 October 2017, his plans to commission a review of the origin green programme in view of the programme’s reliance on self certification by operators regarding their compliance with environmental regulations. [47817/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Origin Green is Ireland’s national food sustainability programme. It brings together the entire food industry, from farmers to food producers, retailers to food service operators. All operate with a common goal – to ensure sustainably produced food.

Origin Green members have committed to a minimum of six sustainability targets and have had their sustainability plans independently verified by international auditors SGS. Their progress is reviewed annually to ensure companies are making progress in achieving their goals.

As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question numbers 297 of 24 October and 424 of 26 September 2017, Origin Green members are required to be authorised by the relevant competent authority, and must confirm that they are compliant with the key food safety and environmental regulations governing their sector.  It is a basic condition of Origin Green that companies comply with statutory requirements.

Operational matters in relation to Origin Green are a matter for Bord Bia. For further information on Origin Green the Deputy is referred to the agreed Oireachtas contact address – info@BordBia.ie.