MEP demands organic food checks

CONSUMER trust in organic produce must be matched with proper checks in the food chain to ensure consumers are getting what they are actually paying for, according to Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness.

Speaking in a debate on the production and labelling of organic products in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, she said there is no recognised scientific test to differentiate organic and conventional food.

“Currently 70% of organic food on the Irish market is imported, with 30% produced domestically,” she said.