Defra Are Recruiting: EGOP Chairperson.
Defra has announced the recruitment of a chairperson for an Expert Group on Organic Production (EGOP).
The purpose of the EGOP is to provide comprehensive advice to the Four Nations Working Group (FNWG), via Defra, on future organic policy and technical issues requiring specific expert advice. This group will also provide assistance in reviewing third country and/or third country control body applications and annual reports.
The role of the FNWG is to establish shared ways of working and to develop common policy approaches on organics across the UK where this is appropriate. A provisional draft of the Organic Production Common Framework, currently undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny, contains more detail of the role, responsibilities and ways of working of the FNWG and context for the work of the EGOP.
The remit of the EGOP may include, but is not be limited to:
Domestic elements:
1. Providing technical advice to allow the updating of the current annexes provided for in retained organic regulations, such as those concerning permitted non-organic ingredients and inclusion or removal of permitted inputs/substances.
2. Provide technical advice to support any revisions of the Organic regulations in England, Scotland and Wales, taking into account divergence in organic policy between GB and NI and the impact on the flow of trade between GB and NI.
3. Provide technical advice on issues arising that are outside of the Defra Organic Team’s competence.
4. Provide technical advice on the sector as a whole, including trends worldwide, export opportunities, the success or otherwise of attracting new organic farmers/consumers, working with organic retailers, driving sales etc.
International elements:
1. Support the evaluation of new third country or third country control body applications to determine if recognition should be granted.
2. Support the evaluation of third country proposal(s) to extend scope of existing Organics agreements and if such extensions should be granted.
3. Support the review of annual third country and third country control body
The chairperson may also be required to support the appointment of the Expert Group members (up to 12), including but not limited to, sifting applications and conducting panel interviews
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 24th October.