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

1. Brussels Seafood Expo
7th May 2014
Certification Process for Organic Mussels
Dave Garforth, Seafood Business Manager

2. Organic Mussel Certification- Key features
• The Rules and Regulations (Standards)
• The Certification Procedures
• The Certification System

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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’

6. 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

7. Modified dredge gear- gentle on substrate (and
mussels)

8. 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

9. All sites are identifiable and designated

10. 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

11. Traceable Production Chain from seed to finished
product
Seed fishery and transfer
On-growing and harvesting
Primary/secondary Processing

12. 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

13. Audit procedures
Applicant
Conversation Plan
Organic Farming Plan
Pre-Audit Plan
Full Audit
Auditor Report
Certification Committee
National Organic Forum
(DAFM)
Non Conformances
Certification Decision
Corrective Actions

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. Thank you