Brussels Seafood Expo 7th May 2014

Certification Process for Organic Mussels Dave Garforth, Seafood Business Manager

Organic Mussel Certification- Key features

• The Rules and Regulations (Standards)

• The Certification Procedures• The Certification System

Organic Farming- Principles

• Organic farming is a system that seeks to provide fresh, tasty and authentic seafood while respecting natural life-cycle systems

• Promotes the use of natural over synthetic products and processes– Naturally sourced seed– No GMO inputs– Avoidance of chemicals– Using natural cycles

Rules and Regulations - form the Certification Standards

• Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91

• Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for it’s implementation

• Commission Regulation (EC) No. 710/2009 amending of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007

Key features of EU Organic Regulations-Bivalves

• Organic shellfish farms shall minimise risks to species of conservation interest.– Ireland has designated 96 sites with

conservation interest– Seed must be sourced without causing

environmental degradation– Seed must be sourced from

surplus/renewable resources– ‘Sourced from transient beds – generally,

do not survive overwintering’

Sourcing of Seed Mussel• Environmental assessment is carried out for

sites designated with special conservation interest (virtually all of seed mussel sites in the Irish Sea now within or near Natura designated areas)

• Seed fishery strictly controlled– Open and Closed times (only 2 times

per year for a few short weeks in total)– Daylight hours and for designated

days– Fished seed is monitored carefully

(VMS) – Careful fishing techniques to avoid

damage to seabed and mussels– Careful handling techniques on vessels

• Total amount fished controlled and traced to location and date

Modified dredge gear- gentle on substrate (and mussels)

Transfer to designated bays for growing

• License condition requires that sites undergo initial and annual environmental assessment– Bio-diversity– Physical parameters– Benthic effects

• Seed inputs monitored (quantity)• Productivity closely monitored to ensure

carrying capacity is not exceeded. (input – output)

• Site rotation to ensure environmental characteristics are maintained- GPS tracking system on all plots – to the metre!

• Managed similarly to organic agriculture ‘fields’

• Bays are natural bivalve production areas

All sites are identifiable and designated

Organic Production Sites

• Production shall use a stocking density that supports healthy growth of mussels and does not exceed carrying capacity of the natural environment

• Sorting and thinning adjustments shall be made according to the biomass and to ensure healthy productivity

• Bio-fouling organisms shall be removed by physical means and not by invasive chemicals

• Harvesting and transfer fully traceable using on-board tracking systems

Traceable Production Chain from seed to finished product

Seed fishery and transfer

On-growing and harvesting

Primary/secondary Processing

Organic Certification Procedures

• EU organic model operates to third party, independent and accredited certification norms (ISO 65/EN45011)

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate traceability to organic rules for each step in the process– Applicants must produce an Organic

Conversion and Management Plan– Applicants must demonstrate

environmental performance of sites– Annual site audits from competent

certification body– Qualified, specialist auditors with

experience and competence in shellfish aquaculture and organic standards

Audit procedures

Applicant

Conversation Plan

Organic Farming PlanPre-Audit Plan

Full Audit

Auditor Report

Certification Committee

National Organic Forum (DAFM)

Non Conformance

s

Certification Decision

Corrective Actions

Organic Certification System

• Organic Standard(s) formed with EU Organic Regulation at its core

• Certification body must be accredited by IAF Accreditation Board Member

• Qualified by the National Competent Authority (DAFM)

• Applicant audit reports are reviewed and certified by independent certification committee

• Reports are subject to accreditation inspection/review

• Decisions are subject to National Competent Authority review

EU Organic Regulatory Framework

Organic Certification System Framework

Implemented through National Competent Authorities (DAFM)

Approved Contracting & Accredited

Certification Bodies

ISO Standards for third party inspection and certification

National Accreditation Bodies (EN45011)

International Accreditation Forum

(IAF)

Summary

• EU Organic System - comprehensive and robust framework for certification of Organic Aquaculture with annual audits as routine

• Irish organic mussel production systems conform to principles of organic production– Sourced from nature– Grown in the animals natural environment– No chemicals or artificial additives– High regard to environmental conservation

supported by network of protected areas– Wholesome products conforming to

National Standards for seafood safety– Traceable to organic methods throughout

production and supply chain

Thank you