§ 2.52 p.m.
§ Lord Geraintasked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What scientific procedures there are to establish that animal meat for human consumption that is labelled organic is truly organic.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)My Lords, certification of organic meat production entails satisfying EC requirements covering the origin of animals, their feed, permitted husbandry practices and transport. No scientific procedures exist to verify that meat is organic by testing the end product and checks must be undertaken by on-farm inspections supported by associated documentation.
§ Lord GeraintMy Lords, I am grateful for the Minister's reply which was comprehensive and to the point. However, will he consider introducing legislation to safeguard the interests of consumers when they purchase labelled organic food which is not organic?
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, we have legislation under EU regulations which ensures that rules are laid down under which food that is organic can be labelled organic. A regulatory body in the UK is responsible for overseeing the 10 private sector bodies which certify that food is organic according to the rules laid down. Local authorities can enforce the law and take action against claims which are proven to be false. However, there is no scientific test which can prove that food is indeed organic. The Food Standards Agency has two research projects under way to determine whether such a scientific test can be developed. Obviously, one hopes for a positive 1441 outcome from that, but we have a regulatory system to ensure that the proper checks, in so far as they can be made, are indeed made.
§ Lord SkelmersdaleMy Lords, will the Minister tell us what sanctions are available when these labels are found to be inaccurate?
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, as I say, it is for local authorities to carry out checks on possible fraudulent claims. They can bring prosecutions under the Food Safety Act. In the year 2000, 41 prosecutions for false or misleading descriptions were brought before the courts and 64 prosecutions were brought for labelling regulations offences and other offences. Those figures are not broken down into organic and non-organic cases but the legal process is in place and it is up to local authorities to enforce the law.
§ Earl HoweMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the Agriculture Select Committee in another place drew attention to possible discrepancies in the organic standards that are observed in certain third world countries? Bearing in mind that a fairly large percentage of the organic meat sold in the UK is imported, will the Government ensure that action is taken at EU level on the concern of the Select Committee?
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, all cases involving problems in that area will, of course, be reviewed by the Government and if concerns need to be raised at EU level we shall certainly raise them. Within the EU all organic meat must be produced to the same standard. It is up to each country of the EU to enforce legislation in its own country. As regards organic production outside the EU, a number of countries have already demonstrated to the EU that they have equivalent standards. Imports from those countries may take place freely, although the importers must be registered and subject to audit. As regards imports from other countries, importers must show to the control authority that equivalent standards apply. The regulatory framework is in place but clearly, if there are examples where it is believed that the rules are not being applied, the Government will look into those seriously.
§ Baroness Miller of Chilthorne DomerMy Lords, is the Minister aware of the recommendation in Sir Don Curry's report on the future of food and farming that the Government should introduce a comprehensive strategy for organic food production covering its production, research and development, standards and marketing? I believe that that would satisfy many of the questions raised by noble Lords.
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, the Government are committed to developing an organic food and farming action plan following the recommendations of the Curry commission. That will consider the strategy for the future direction of organic 1442 farming and assess potential growth for UK production and the market. Alongside that, the Food Standards Agency is reviewing the issue of farm assurance schemes which is important in terms of the consumer knowing and understanding what various labels mean.
§ The Countess of MarMy Lords, further to what the noble Lord has just said about farm assurance schemes, does he agree that, in addition to organic food, there is room for food that has been produced with a minimum of inputs of fertilisers, pesticides and veterinary medicines, and a staged assurance scheme which indicates how that food has been produced? Will the Minister ask the Food Standards Agency to consider that matter?
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, I am happy to draw the noble Countess's remarks to the attention of the Food Standards Agency. The substantive point that she raises is that the consumer wishes to know more about the food that he or she buys. Our intention is to ensure—the Food Standards Agency has made representations on this matter in Europe—that labelling is as accurate and comprehensive as possible. I believe that that relates both to organic and non-organic food.
Lord CarringtonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that organic honey is on sale everywhere? Would he be good enough to let the bees know about that?
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathMy Lords, I shall certainly draw the bees' attention to the noble Lord's comments.
§ Lord Mackie of BenshieMy Lords, I am sure that the Minister will agree that one can buy plenty of good Scottish beef which has never done anyone anything but good.