Proposal to carry out fewer inspections of organic food in nurseries

The Ministry of Agriculture is proposing to carry out inspections of organic food production less frequently, particularly in nurseries. 

It is proposed that catering and food preparation establishments holding an organic certification mark should calculate their organic content every six months, rather than every quarter as is currently the case.  

As the Ministry states, this proposal is aimed at reducing the administrative burden and takes into account the rarity of infringements. 

„Given the very low incidence of infringements, organic public catering establishments and organic food preparation establishments will have to calculate the percentage of organic content less frequently – every six months rather than every quarter“, – states the draft ministerial order, which has been submitted for assessment to the organic production control body “Ekoagros”, the State Food and Veterinary Service and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.  

It is also proposed to allow “Ekoagros” to inspect such catering or food preparation establishments not only on-site but also remotely.

As Irma Minskienė, a representative of “Ekoagros”, told BNS, such labels are most commonly awarded to nurseries: “Currently, 21 organisations hold the label. These are mainly nurseries.“