A copy of the Organic Standards for Food and Farming are available from the Irish Organic Association. This sets out the methods and practices that are recommended in organic farming. The Organic Standards are the set of rules and guidelines that those converting to and certified as organic must adhere to.
The next steps are:
- Send in a detailed conversion plan describing management practices on the farm. An organic advisor can be consulted for assistance with this process
- Submit your conversion plan to IOA which is reviewed by the Certification Manager and the file is sent to an inspector who arranges a visit to the holding
The inspector’s report is then assessed by the Certification Panel and an in-conversion licence is granted to the successful applicant.
The conversion period is the time frame that occurs between applying to IOA to convert to organic farming and getting a full organic symbol. In most cases this is two years. When the conversion period is successfully completed a full organic symbol is granted allowing produce to be sold as organic and to display the IOA symbol.
There are strict guidelines on how to label a product as organic. This is based on the Organic Food and Farming Standards. For more information on labelling please download the guidelines below
