Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

My Department as the Competent Authority under EU regulations has delegated the organic certification function to independent control bodies, in accordance with the relevant EU regulations and in common with the practice in many other EU MS. The organic status of food products including salmon here in Ireland is certified by rigorous on-going assessment undertaken on behalf of my Department by the aforementioned Organic Control Bodies.

The certification system for organic salmon in Ireland is subject to ongoing review and assessment by my Department and was also included in the 2016 comprehensive audit by the EU of the controls applied by Ireland to the organic sector generally.

I have no plans for an independent investigation of the nature suggested by the Deputy. However, as indicated in previous replies to similar questions from the Deputy, my Department keeps under close review compliance with the existing suite of organic requirements. Reviews of this nature are an important part of my Department’s controls in this area.

As the aquaculture licence in respect of the site named has been revoked, the Organic Control Body concerned in accordance with its procedures has taken the necessary action and suspended certification of the site concerned and instructed the Company to remove organic certification trademarks completely from the product. If the Company fails to resolve the situation by a specified date, then the organic certificate for the site in question is completely withdrawn.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I wish to make very clear that the procedures operated by my Department are designed to ensure that the highest standards apply to all areas of Irish organic production. The award of organic status 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.

The inspection process for producers of organic fish is extremely detailed and includes adherence to a range of core organic principles, as well as stocking levels, feed practice, traceability and fish-welfare and husbandry amongst other things. Organic aquaculture sites are also subject to the standard inspection regime applying to conventional producers by the Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. In addition, all Organic Control Bodies are independently accredited by an external accreditation body.

With regard to the organic status of an operation, where a breach of licensing conditions is determined and an aquaculture licence is revoked, the Organic Control Body concerned in accordance with its procedures, takes the necessary action to suspend certification and remove organic certification trademarks completely from the product in question. If the organisation concerned fails to resolve the situation by a specified date, then the organic certificate for the site in question is withdrawn.