by SUSAN MANN
The organic sector wants an annual review of national organic standards but it’s concerned federal government money may not be available to fund the process in the future.
Laura Telford, executive director of the Canadian Organic Growers, says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency controls the organic products regulation, which came into effect June 30, 2009. The Canadian Organic Growers, which represents farmers nationally, says the Agency is responsible for paying for the process involved in the standards review.
“It’s a fairly expensive process,” Telford says, estimating it would cost $200,000 to prepare amendments, hold an annual meeting to debate them and pay the Canadian General Standards Board, which manages the standards, to edit them.
When the Board’s organic sector committee met in February it proposed 100 revisions to the standards within the organic products regulation. Voting by mail-in ballot on those ends May 23. Sixty-five different groups representing all sectors of the organic industry, such as growers, processors and consumers, are eligible to vote.
Telford says more revisions follow. “We have a giant work list.”
She estimates it will take about five years to work through all the necessary revisions, but she’s concerned that the government may not continue funding the process. “So far they’ve been doing it (providing funding) as a one-off thing. But I don’t think they see it as their long-term role.”
Telford says the federal organic products regulation works by reference, “which is a fairly novel idea in Canadian legislation.” What it means is whenever the organic sector and the Board approve changes to the standards they become law without needing the federal government to amend a regulation.
“The standards remain a living document inside this bigger fixed document, which is the organic products regulation,” she says.
It’s the organic sector that writes and amends the standards. “The organic sector believes these are living standards and they need to be constantly updated as things change,” she explains. BF
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Why get any funding ?
Perhaps before committing any further funding to organic standards the organic folks wanting the public dough ought to actually prove there is any merit in organic production and not merely a waste of land resources. The rather extensive UK study released last year gave ample evidence that there is no difference between conventional grown foods and organics so why are we promoting an antiquated production method over conventional. Anyone who wants to spew the nonsense that organics can yield as well as conventional needs to take a drive and see some of the weed choked messes we have around here. Its time conventional producers took back the argument from the all natural malarkey crowd.
RE: Why get any funding?
The "all natural malarkey crowd" or Certified Organic producer satisfies a niche market.
The Certified Organic producer understands that he isn't Babysat by and agronomist that tells him exactly what to do, when to do it, and what to expect.
The Certified Organic producer is acutely aware of his fields potentials and risks.
The Certified Organic farmer is proud, aware, concerned, and above all, euphoric that he is still knows how to farm.
I am a full-time Certified Organic Producer, my fields have less weeds than most of my conventional neighbors, my yields are within 90% of theirs and most importantly, I am here to stay.
Most conventional farmers are petrified to try Organic production because they either forget or are too embarrassed at how little they know how to actually farm. Please read on before you answer.
I have a wealthy friend that doesn't even know what a soybean looks like and he owns almost 400 acres near Oakville, ON.
He gets a call from an Agronomist who tells him what, how much, and when to plant, spray, fertilize, etc.
My friend then picks up the phone and calls a local Co-op telephone # and relays the information.
The custom work is done and the RR beans are then sold.
Is that farming?
The real question here is:
"Why should CONVENTIONAL farmers get ANY funding?
Have a good day!
Dear Certified Organic
Dear Certified Organic Producer: Can I visit your farm? I Want to start an organic farm of my own. I don't know where to begin... Speaking to some folks who actually do this would be a great place to start! Thanks- Elia