The Soil Association has opened a consultation on whether to raise organic standards in Northern Ireland in line with changes to the EO Organic Regulation
Growers and food businesses in Northern Ireland are invited to submit feedback to a consultation on the future of Soil Association organic standards in the region.
The consultation opened this week (4 December) and will remain open for submissions via the website until 3 February.
The consultation covers proposed updates in Northern Ireland to permitted inputs for fertilisers, soil conditioners and nutrients; additives and processing aids for animal feed and processed food; and a proposed amendment on country-of-origin labelling.
Most of the proposals reflect recent amendments to the EU Organic Regulation and the consultation will help decide whether to introduce these new higher-level requirements for licensees in Northern Ireland.
“As part of our commitment to keep organic standards under constant review, we are proposing updates to our food and farming standards in Northern Ireland – with a particular focus on veterinary treatments, fertilisers and feed additives,” said Soil Association director of standards innovation, Sarah Compson.
The Soil Association is seeking feedback from everyone involved in organic farming and food and drink production in Northern Ireland, including licensees, vets, food processing businesses, consumers and academics.
The consultation is also open to those outside Northern Ireland, to inform the organisation’s wider work on UK regulations and standards.
“Organic farmers are pioneers in sustainable food production, and it is essential that our standards allow them to remain at the leading edge of best practice,” added Compson.
