Ec Organic Foods Directive

EDM number 484 in 1992-93, proposed by Kate Hoey on 13/07/1992.

That this House notes plans by the European Commission to introduce new production, processing and labelling legislation on organic products and new import regulations on the importation of organic foods from outside the Community; further notes that the directive would force the retailers who buy organic food in bulk and then pre-pack it for sale to be treated as processors and will therefore have to pay a certification fee; believes that many small retailers will either be unable to pay such a certification fee and will therefore decide to cease selling organic products, or will be forced to buy pre-packed organic foods which will undoubtedly affect profit margins; further believes that the directive, as it currently stands, will have a disastrous effect on counties which are noted for the production and retailing of organic food, such as the county of Dyfed, which has 51 organic producers, many of which currently undertake their own processing; calls on the Government to make every effort to amend the directive so as to ensure permanent safeguards for small shops and operators in this context; and further calls on the Government to block any decision on the organic foods directive until such safeguards are built in.

This motion has been signed by a total of 31 MPs.