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 PlanOrganic Farming Plan

Pre-Audit PlanFull Audit

Auditor Report

Certification Committee

National Organic Forum (DAFM)

Non Conformances

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