Trevor Sargent TD, minister of state at the department, noted that the IMO has many years of relevant experience in Ireland.
Ireland now has three approved organic certification bodies, all of which will become members of the Organic Forum as part of an agreement with the department.
Mr Sargent said that the approval of the IMO as an organic certification body should prove to be very beneficial for the organic aquaculture sector.
He commented: “With the inclusion of aquaculture within the scope of the new Organic Regulation from January, 1st 2009 there should be opportunities to expand the organic aquaculture sector and IMO’s approval is therefore timely.”
Other member organisations of the organic forum include the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and Organic Trust Ltd.