NOVEMBER 11, 2011 ROXANNE BEAVERS Organic Standards and Certification

Overview What is the Canadian Organic Standard? Getting Certified Recordkeeping and the Organic Plan Inspection Questions

On June 30, 2009, the Organic Product Regulations (OPR) came into effect, making the Canadian Organic Standards mandatory  CGSB Organic Standard (COS)  CGSB Permitted Substances List (PSL)

Background voluntary Canadian organic standard produced via Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Process driven by organic sector, consensus decision making Current standard last amended in 2011 Living document

General Principles 1. Environment 2. Soil fertility 3. Biological diversity 4. Recycle within the enterprise 5. Care for livestock 6. Maintain integrity and vital qualities 7. Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems

The Standard provides the practical methods that can help achieve these principles

What the Standards do NOT Cover Labeling – this is in the Regulation Enforcement – this is up to the Certification Body (and CFIA) Specific products – the general categories are in the PSL but it is up to your Certification Body to approve use

Sections of the Standard Scope Definitions Organic Plan Specific Requirements:  Crops, Livestock, Maple, Honey, Sprouts, Greenhouse, Wild crops Preparation and Handling of Organic Products

Permitted Substances List 1. Crop  Soil Amendments and Crop Nutrition  Crop Production Aids and Materials 2. Livestock  Feed, Feed Additives and Supplements  Health Care Products and Production Aids 3. Processing  Allowed Non-organic Food Additives & Ingredients  Cleaners, Disinfectants, Sanitizers

What’s not allowed? (1.4.1) Synthetic:  Fertilizers  Pesticides & wood preservatives*  Growth regulators  Veterinary drugs*  Processing Aids and Ingredients, Food Additives* Genetic engineering Sewage sludge Cloned animals Nanotechnology Ionizing radiation Fungicide treated equipment or packaging

Overview of Certification Process Application to a Certification Body Review (is application complete?) Inspection Review (is operator compliant?) Issuance of Certificate

Transition 3 years of transition from conventional If no prohibited substances used in last 3 years, then can transition in 1 year Apply to CB 15 months before you plan to market crops as organic Processing - no transition period required Livestock - varies

Choosing a Certifier Considerations: structure, cost, location, expertise, communication, markets Certification to other standards - export?  NOP, EU, JAS

Recordkeeping Demonstrate that the Organic Plan is being followed Enable traceability Records should be useful both for your operation and for the certification process Ongoing - maintain for 5 years

Organic Plan Description of methods used on farm Includes transition, preparation, handling and management practices Should include…  Description of the operation – crops, acreage, projected yields  Field maps and field history  Rotation plan  And more!

Traceability & Audit Trail You need to be able to trace your product from the field to the fork! Must prove that the amount of product produced = product sold Area Planted Field Activity Log Harvest Records Purchases, Inventory Records Sales Records

Inspection Independent assessor visits your farm/operation annually Compares observations of your operation with requirements of the Standard/PSL Reviews production areas and your farm records Reports back to CB - they make certification decision

“ Staying ” Organic Make sure you are ready when you make the transition Charge enough to get your organic premium - market your organic advantage Ultimate system of assurance - third party certification! Set up your records well in the first few years - will save time later on Continuous learning

Resources

For more information… Contact a Certification Body Check the Organic Path - ACORN website Contact for assistance from ACORN in transitioning to organic Thank you!