Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1964. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 278, 279, 280, 281 and 282 of 11 May 2022 and the response of the European Commission to question E-001278/2022, if he has considered recognising the current challenges facing organic egg producers arising from circumstances per Commission Delegated Regulation EU 2020/2146 with a view to facilitating the continued use of 95% organic feed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29106/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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New organic regulations which were introduced on 1st January 2022 restricted the previously allowed 5% non-organic feed protein derogation to young poultry and pigs, resulting in older, mature stock requiring a 100% organic feed.

As a result of the invasion of Ukraine, an organic protein scarcity has developed. Following submissions made by my Department on the matter, the European Commission has published a draft regulation which provides for a derogation for the use of 5% non-organic protein for all pig and poultry feed not restricted by age.

This regulation will be published in the near future and will apply retrospectively from 24th February; it will alleviate some of the difficulties facing organic egg producers here in Ireland. The relevant stakeholders have been advised on the new derogation provision which will provide them with clarity with regard to their poultry enterprises.