NEWS RELEASE
Date: 29 August 2007
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Advisory Committee on Organic Standards to be reviewed
Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Farming, Food and Animal Welfare, today announced the first independent review of the Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS).
ACOS was created in 2003 and the review is in line with Government recommendations to periodically review public bodies to ensure they are delivering high quality services.
The review will look at and make recommendations on:
- the Committee’s future development and governance;
- the quality and impact of the Committee’s advice; and
- the Committee’s working methods, its resources and how they are managed.
Jeff Rooker said:
"In carrying out the study, the review will consider a variety of evidence on the performance of ACOS and will consult with relevant organisations and stakeholders who have experience of the Committee’s work."
The review will be carried out by consultants who are independent of ACOS and Defra. They will work closely with stakeholders who have been involved in the work of the Committee and are expected to report by the end of the year.
Notes to editors
1. ACOS is a non-executive, non-departmental public body that advises Government on the development and implementation of organic standards, approval of organic certifying bodies and research and development. It covers the UK as a whole, and in consultation with and agreement of the Devolved Administrations, organic standards are implemented by Defra - acting as Competent Authority for the purposes of Council Regulation 2092/91.
2. The review will be carried out by Drew Associates in accordance with Government recommendations that public bodies are subjected to periodic and detailed study to ensure that they are still delivering high quality services and are adequately resourced.
3. Once the review has reported, Defra with the Devolved Administrations will examine the recommendations. Should it prove necessary, Defra will bring in proposals to change the way that ACOS operates early in 2008.
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Page published: 29 August 2007