Organic Food (Hansard, 16 July 1992)

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what analysis has been carried out as to the effect of the introduction of the United Kingdom register of organic food standards on the sale of(a) organic fruit and vegetables and (b) organic bread; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Gummer
The United Kingdom register of organic food standards was established in 1987. Since then, UKROFS has been defining organic standards and establishing mechanisms for enforcement. A proper record of the sales of organic produce is only now possible because UKROFS has created standards that define organic produce. UKROFS standards provides an assurance to consumers as to the reliability of the organic produce that is being purchased. This can only be good for the sales of organic produce, such as organic fruit and vegetables and organic bread.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his reasons for deciding that trading standards officers should not be involved in the monitoring, certification and enforcement of organic food standards.

§ Mr. Gummer
Trading standards officers are involved in the enforcement of organic food standards at retail level. Monitoring and certification at production level is the task of the United Kingdom register of organic food standards together with the various private sector organic bodies. A trading standards officer is a member of the board of UKROFS.

§ Dr. David Clark
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from the producers of organic food stuffs about the introduction of the United Kingdom register of organic food standards; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Gummer
The United Kingdom register of organic food standards was established in 1987. Its board includes members of the major organic sector bodies in the United Kingdom as well as consumer, trading standards, food processing and retail interests. I have received no recent representations from producers regarding the introduction of UK ROFS standards.