{"id":18947,"date":"2022-10-02T13:12:26","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T13:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=18947"},"modified":"2022-10-02T19:10:59","modified_gmt":"2022-10-02T19:10:59","slug":"fruit-veg-honey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/","title":{"rendered":"Fruit Veg &#038; Honey"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Fruit_and_Vegetables\" title=\"Fruit and Vegetables\">Fruit and Vegetables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Scheme_of_EU_Aid_for_Producer_Organisations_POs_in_the_Fruit_and_Vegetable_Sector\" title=\"Scheme of EU Aid for Producer Organisations (POs) in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector\">Scheme of EU Aid for Producer Organisations (POs) in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Production_and_Marketing_of_Fresh_Fruit_and_Vegetables\" title=\"Production and Marketing of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables\">Production and Marketing of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#BeekeepingHoney\" title=\"Beekeeping\/Honey\">Beekeeping\/Honey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Plant_Health_and_Trade\" title=\"Plant Health and Trade\">Plant Health and Trade<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Potatoes\" title=\"Potatoes\">Potatoes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/fruit-veg-honey\/#Standards_for_Sale_of_Potatoes\" title=\"Standards for Sale of Potatoes\">Standards for Sale of Potatoes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fruit_and_Vegetables\"><\/span>Fruit and Vegetables<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector<\/p>\n<p>Grant aid is available under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. The Scheme aims to assist development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by providing grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant and equipment as well as emerging technologies speci\ufb01c to commercial horticulture production. The scheme\u2019s objectives are to facilitate environmentally friendly practices; promote the diversi\ufb01cation of on-farm activities; improve the quality of products and improve working conditions. The scheme is primarily aimed at those engaging in commercial horticulture production and\/or beekeeping.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scheme_of_EU_Aid_for_Producer_Organisations_POs_in_the_Fruit_and_Vegetable_Sector\"><\/span>Scheme of EU Aid for Producer Organisations (POs) in the Fruit and Vegetable Sector<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Producer Organisation is a legal entity, which is formed on the initiative of growers of fruit and vegetables, who undertake to market their production through the Producer Organisation structure.<\/p>\n<p>To obtain recognition from this Department, a Producer Organisation must have a minimum of 5 active producer members with a combined annual value of marketed production (VMP) of at least \u20ac2,500,000.<br \/>\nA Producer Organisation must implement a 3, 4 or 5-year operational programme (business plan) which must also receive prior approval from the Department and must be submitted by 15 September of the year prior to commencement. However, legal entities wishing to obtain recognition as a Producer Organisation are advised to contact the Department well in advance of that date as the recognition process involves a series of pre-recognition checks which must be complied with before recognition is possible.<\/p>\n<p>EU \ufb01nancial assistance is available to recognised Producer Organisations towards the eligible costs of implementing their approved operational programmes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Production_and_Marketing_of_Fresh_Fruit_and_Vegetables\"><\/span>Production and Marketing of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Commercial producers of fresh fruit and vegetables (including potatoes and edible fungi) are required to register as food producers with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The Department carries out inspections to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. There are penalties for infringements of the legislation. In addition to registration, commercial producers of sprouted seed also require approval by the Department.<\/p>\n<p>European Union Marketing Standards exist for a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables. The function of the standards is to ensure that regulated produce o\ufb00ered for sale is of acceptable quality and appropriately labelled. The standards concern quality, sizing, presentation and labelling. These standards apply to home-grown and imported products o\ufb00ered for sale at wholesale and retail levels throughout the country and to products being imported\/exported. Responsibility for ensuring that produce which is sold or o\ufb00ered for sale complies with the marketing standards lies with the trader. Department o\ufb03cials inspect produce to ensure that the standards are being observed. There are penalties for infringements of the marketing standards.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"BeekeepingHoney\"><\/span>Beekeeping\/Honey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The beekeeping sector is regulated by EU and National Legislation. Under this legislation, bees are subject to veterinary inspection for certain noti\ufb01able diseases. Currently these diseases are Foul Brood Disease (American and European), Small Hive Beetle and the Tropilaelaps mite. Beekeepers must notify this Department of all suspected outbreaks of any of these diseases in their bee-hives or colonies. Imports and exports of bees are subject to health certi\ufb01cation at their place of origin in the exporting country and to checks at their place of destination in the importing country.<br \/>\nGrant aid towards specialist beekeeping facilities and equipment is available under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.<\/p>\n<p>Beekeepers are encouraged to register as food producers with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.<br \/>\nHoney o\ufb00ered for sale must comply with the European Communities (Marketing of Honey) Regulations 2003 (S. I. No. 367 of 2003 as amended). These regulations aim to ensure traded honey is of acceptable quality and accurately labelled, especially in terms of origin. In addition honey o\ufb00ered for sale to the consumer must also comply with the European Union (Provision of Food Information to Consumers) Regulations 2014 (S. I. No. 556 of 2014). The Department carries out inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations. There are penalties for infringements of the legislation. In addition to ensuring appropriate labelling of honey, the Department also conducts controls to ensure honey meets food safety requirements.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plant_Health_and_Trade\"><\/span>Plant Health and Trade<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ireland is free of many of the serious diseases and pests, which a\ufb00ect plants and crops and consequently has a high standard of plant health. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine operates controls under both National and EU legislation to maintain this high health status. Any unusual occurrence of disease or pest should be noti\ufb01ed immediately to the Department\u2019s Horticulture &amp; Plant Health Division.<\/p>\n<p>A common system of plant health controls operates within the EU. A feature of this system is that material (certain plants, plant products and other objects), which are subject to these controls, must be inspected at production level to check compliance with the requirements that are laid down in respect of movement within the EU. Some of this<br \/>\nmaterial must be accompanied by a label, known as a Plant Passport, when being moved.<\/p>\n<p>This denotes eligibility for movement within the EU and speci\ufb01cally for movement into and<br \/>\nwithin designated protected zones. Persons involved in the production and movement of relevant material must be registered with this Department and be authorised to issue Plant Passports, where appropriate.<br \/>\nMaterial that is of non-EU origin and is subject to plant health controls may only be imported by registered importers and is subject to mandatory phytosanitary inspection upon entry into the EU.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Potatoes\"><\/span>Potatoes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Registration of Potato Growers and Potato Packers Act<\/p>\n<p>Under the Registration of Potato Growers and Potato Packers Acts, 1984 and 2004, every person who is a grower of potatoes for sale or a packer of potatoes for sale must register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A once-o\ufb00 registration fee of \u20ac19 is payable.<br \/>\nPotatoes may not be sold unless they have been grown by a registered grower and packed by a registered packer. A person may not sell potatoes in a package unless the package bears the registration number of both the registered grower and the registered packer.<br \/>\nRegulations made under the Act require both growers and packers to maintain detailed records of quantities sold\/purchased. These records ensure that potatoes o\ufb00ered for sale at retail level can be traced back to individual growers or importers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Standards_for_Sale_of_Potatoes\"><\/span>Standards for Sale of Potatoes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Potatoes sold or o\ufb00ered for sale must comply with the requirements of the Food Standards (Potatoes) Regulations. They must be of good quality, sold separately by variety and sold in the prescribed size ranges. Packages must be marked with the potato variety and the size range. Packaging must be able to absorb moisture and admit air. The Regulations do not apply to potatoes for processing or for export.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-18947\" data-postid=\"18947\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-18947 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fruit and Vegetables Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector Grant aid is available under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. The Scheme aims to assist development of the horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by providing grant aid for capital investments in specialised plant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[262],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18947"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18947"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18948,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18947\/revisions\/18948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}