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Organic Annual Report
Standards
Compendium of UK Organic Standards
5.1 The Compendium is the standard for organic food production that must be complied with in the UK. It is based on, and complies with, Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91, as amended. It is published by DEFRA on behalf of all Rural Affairs Departments in the UK (Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Northern Ireland and the Welsh Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department).
5.2 Scottish stakeholders were consulted on the draft and ensured that the standard reflects Scottish conditions. In addition the Soil Association has convened an upland working group to review the particular concerns of some of the UK less favoured areas. Representatives from Wales and the North of England met recently in Edinburgh with Scottish representatives, and in particular crofting representatives, to debate some of these concerns. This work continues.
GM Issues
5.3 The Scottish Executive is committed to the promotion of the organic sector in Scotland and the precautionary approach which has been adopted in the UK GM debate will serve to safeguard both the integrity of organic products and public confidence in the organic market.
Advisory Committee on Organic Standards
5.4 ACOS, like its predecessor UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) serves the whole of the UK. It is an advisory Non Departmental Public Body established for the provision of advice on matters relating to standards, certification and research relevant to organic food and farming.
5.5 DEFRA's Organic Action Plan published July 2002 announced the dissolution of UKROFS and the transfer of certain duties to the Department and the intention to create an Advisory Committee on Organic Standards.
5.6 As a result of discussion with DEFRA the following has been agreed:
ACOS would have representatives from all 4 UK countries.
All 4 Ministers would agree appointments to the ACOS board.
SEERAD would approve the selection process and would be involved with DEFRA in the interviewing of potential committee members and agree the composition of the list to be put before Ministers (Wales and N Ireland were asked to endorse the Interviewing Panels recommendations).
SEERAD would have a standing invitation to attend all ACOS meetings.
While DEFRA has the power to approve organic private inspection bodies, Scottish Ministers will be consulted on the creation of Organic Private Inspection Bodies.
SEERAD officials had active involvement in the interviewing process that resulted in there being 3 Scots appointed to the 16 member ACOS board.
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