May 24, 2005:
The Government of Canada’s Organic Production
System Task Force expects to meet its goal of making
recommendations for a fair and effective national organic
production regime this summer.
The initial round of stakeholder and provincial government
consultations is complete. The research reports on existing
accreditation organizations and certification bodies
are finished. Other international standards have been
examined and the cost-benefit analysis on options for
an organic regime has been delivered.
The cost-benefit analysis is a mandatory factor when
considering any new regulatory scheme. The report presents
a breakdown of the costs and benefits of various options
for a national organic regime. Additional analysis is
provided for environmental benefits resulting from organic
agricultural practices.
“We’ve emerged from four months of intense
and inclusive coast-to-coast consultations with a keen
understanding of what Canadians do and do not want to
see in the proposed organic regime,” says OTF
Project Director, Joe Southall. Approximately 300 people
and 65 organizations spanning all facets of the organic
industry participated in more than 80 face-to-face meetings.
“Our meetings gave us a sound understanding and
appreciation of the variety of opinions held and approaches
to organic agriculture that exist in Canada,”
says Southall. “Everyone’s participation
and candor was an immeasurable contribution to the task
at hand.”
Concepts raised during the consultations and under active
consideration by the OTF include:
- One mandatory, national minimum standard for organic
agriculture be established and maintained by the organic
industry and enforced by the government;
- An inclusive regime for all growers, processors,
retailers and importers that make organic claims,
regardless of size or sales;
- The Government of Canada as overall competent authority
to authorize accreditation agencies;
- The integration of existing provincial systems,
accreditation agencies, and certification bodies into
the federal regulatory system;
- One domestic accreditation for certification bodies
which would be accepted or recognized nationally;
- Minimum educational requirements for organic inspectors
and consistent national training by government and
academic institutions;
- A comprehensive set of labeling requirements and
a readily identifiable Government of Canada mark for
all Canadian certified organic product;
- A national office in Ottawa to administer the resulting
Canadian Organic Program – to include surveillance
and enforcement of organic product; and
- A phase–in period for the organic industry
to adapt to the new regime.
Keeping the system affordable, particularly the cost
of certification for small-scale growers, was a common
concern expressed by many during the consultations.
Some disagreement with the idea of disallowing more
than one certification mark (the Government of Canada
mark) on a product was also recorded. Solutions to these
stakeholder concerns are presently being considered
by the OTF and will be brought forward in the recommendation
package.
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/newnou/2005-04-05e.shtml
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