Organic sector to tighten regulation

ROGUE organic traders are to be clamped down on after the Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent gave his officials increased powers to enforce regulation in the sector.

The move has been warmly welcomed by organic regulatory bodies, which said it is vital to ensure the integrity of the organic sector.

Under the new amendment, producers and processors contravening organic regulations can now face fines of up to €5,000 or a term of imprisonment.

Department officials will be able to seize produce, vehicles and other items and serve fixed penalty and compliance notices on suspected disingenuous traders.

The organic food market in this country is worth more than €66 million a year and is expected to grow by up to 20% in the next five years.

Mr Sargent said he is committed to ensuring consumer confidence in the organic sector. He urged consumers that traders passing off conventional produce as organic to contact his department.

“Consumers often pay a premium for organic food and I want to be able to assure them that they are getting what they are paying for,” said Mr Sargent.

“The message is clear: anyone selling organic food must have proper certification and play by the rules.”

The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association warmly welcomed the move: “We’ve been campaigning for such improvement for years.

“We want to ensure that if you are buying from a market stall, a shop or from a box provider, that you can be ensured that you get what you pay for. Consumers should always ask to see a relevant licence if they are buying organic,” said association chairman Pádraig Fahy.