The Certified Organic Associations of
BC (COABC) has undertaken research to
better understand the needs and issues
of non-certified organic producers which
deter them from participating in organic
certification programs, and investigate
possible solutions. While there are
over 600 certified organic farmers and
processors in BC, according to 2006
Statistics Canada figures, there were also
2,767 “uncertified organic” producers in
the province. This high number implies
that the current certification model may
not be meeting the needs of all organic
producers, particularly small-scale
operators. Also, consumers are confused
about which products are truly produced
to organic standards.
The consulting team, hired by the COABC
to undertake the research, solicited
extensive feedback from stakeholders
through an online survey, one-on-
one interviews, farmer meetings, and
outreach events on benefits and barriers
to certification, as well as possible
alternative models.
Some of the key benefits of certification
identified through the consultations
included: market access and product
differentiation; enhanced consumer
confidence and a recognition of
quality; increased accountability and
awareness amongst certified operators;
demonstrated commitment to
philosophical, political, and environmental
beliefs; increased support for the organic
community; and support and mentorship
from the organic community.
COABCProjectsFinalizedRecently COABC has wrapped up
two large projects, both of which are
now available on our website www.
certifiedorganic.bc.ca
The Small Scale Certification Research
project has just been finalized. The
contractors have made numerous
recommendations to the organic
sector to become more inclusive The
COABC board will be considering the
recommendations and planning action
over the next six months.
COABC thanks the contractors
for their thorough work on this
important project and also extends
thanks to all the participants of the
surveys and interviews. With this
valuable information, COABC will
better be able to serve the entire
organic community in the future.
The second project that has been
completed recently is the BC Organic
Sector Strategic Plan. This planning
session brought together a wide range
of interests from the organic sector.
The resulting plan will guide the
sector in the coming five years.
Small Scale Certification Research Project Report
Key barriers to certification identified
by sector stakeholders during the
consultations included: cost of
certification; paperwork associated with
certification; and the time commitment
needed for the paperwork; and the
certification process itself. There were
also concerns raised around a lack of
standardization in paperwork and a lack
of cohesive branding, particularly when
producers do not have to be certified to
sell their products as organic in BC. Some
participants stated that they experienced
difficulties complying with standards,
while many felt there was a lack of
education and support for producers,
and a lack of consumer understanding
and demand for local certified organic
products.
Some possible solutions to overcome
these barriers were also suggested
through the consultations, such as: finding
efficiencies to reduce the certification
costs and paperwork; employing
alternative certification models; more
research and extension to overcome
production challenges; and more
outreach and community engagement.
Stakeholders believed that many technical
issues could be resolved with effective
outreach, education, and support
particularly regarding the certification
process and navigating the standards.
Read the entire report on the COABC
website.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
• Small Scale Certification
• Projects Finalized
• Canadian Organic Standards
• Events
• Q&A
• RemindersEnews
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May 2013 Volume 1, Issue 5
The News about the Canadian Organic StandardsA Memorandum of Understanding
between the http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.
gc.ca/ongc-cgsb/index-eng.html Cana-
dian General Standards Board (CGSB)
and the https://www.scc.ca/ Standards
Council of Canada (SCC) allocating
funding for the review of the Canadian
Organic Standards has been signed.
The official announcement will be made
soon. The CGSB will receive $600,000
for the review, with a work plan soon
to be presented to the sector.
While the CGSB is responsible for the
review procedure, the organic sector
is responsible for the review of the
content of the COS. This will happen
through an extensive consultation with
the Canadian organic sector. Work
lists (WL), that include hundreds of
accumulated items and issues raised by
operators/stakeholders since the COS
were first published by the CGSB, are
already in place and will be the base for
the review of the COS.
The Committee on Organic Agriculture
(also known as the Technical
Committee) will be reorganized prior
to the beginning of the review. This
committee is responsible for submitting
amendments to the COS in order
to improve unclear statements or to
add new directives. OFC has applied
under the Agri-Marketing Program’s
Assurance Systems Stream for funding
to coordinate the consultations with the
organic sector.
This will be the first full review done
since the Organic Products Regulations
came into effect and since the
Equivalency agreements with the EU
and the USA were established. OFC will
keep you updated on this important
full review, which is slated to take place
every five years.
Does any use of a prohibited substance
within 3000 meters of an apiary
automatically disqualify the honey from
achieving compliance with the Standard?
Can stevia be used as a sweetener in
organic products? Is non-organic stevia
admissible under the 5% non-organic
ingredients rule?
Does the Standard require that processing
aids in the production of non-organic
ingredients be listed on Table 6.6 PSL?
The Organic Standards Interpretation
Committee (SIC) provides interpretive
guidance to the Canada Organic
Office on issues related to the National
Standards for Organic Agriculture (CAN/
CGSB 32.310 and CAN/CGSB 32.311).
Questions and Answerson issues related to theCanadian OrganicStandards
http://organicfederation.ca/qas-under-
comment-period Click here to consult
the proposed answers to the various
questions (also attached), raised
by organic stakeholders, regarding
the National Standards for Organic
Agriculture.
The proposed responses are subject to a
60 day comment period starting March
25th to May 24th, 2013
All comments regarding these answers
should be sent to mail to: OPR.RPB@
inspection.gc.ca
BC Food System Network Annual GatheringDate: July 5-7, 2013
Location: Camp Pringle, Shawnigan Lake
on Vancouver Island
Theme: Food from the water, food from
the land
The annual Gathering is a celebration of
our food systems and a coming-together
of traditional and indigenous food skills
with research and new developments
on the ground. We find it to be an
empowering and fun way to meet
some of the amazing people around BC
working in the front lines of food security
and food sovereignty, and we hope
you’ll join us on Vancouver Island this
year! Find more information at http://
fooddemocracy.org/gathering/.
EVENTS
Vancouver Urban farming Society’s 2nd Annual General MeetingDate: May 22, 2013
Location: 163 West Hastings, Hollyhock
Room, Vancouver, BC
Time: 6:00 pm
Register at: http://vufs2013agm-es2005.
eventbrite.ca/?rank=9#
The Vancouver Urban Farming Society
officially incorporated one year ago - we
invite you to join us in celebrating this
year’s urban farming accomplishments
with delicious local food and beverages
and electing 2012-2013 Board of
Directors.
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ISO operators are fortunate to be able to
use the Canada Organic label AND the
BC Checkmark side by side.
The logo of the BC Certified Organic
program is a key tool to identify certified
organic products in BC. It is important
that the symbol is used correctly; here is a
quick reminder, especially for websites and
the exclusion zone (white space.)
The Program Symbol is
enclosed by a black border.
The border ensures that the
appropriate white space or
exclusion zone is provided
around the composite
mark. The Program Symbol
must be enclosed by the
border if the Symbol is applied against
colored or complex backgrounds. However,
if the background is white or off-white, it
may be desirable to omit the border while
ensuring the appropriate exclusion zone.
Complaints Submission FormCanada Organic Office complaint
submission form can be found at www.
certifiedorganic.bc.ca/programs/cor.php.
For complaints against an interprovincial
traded product see the COO complaint
form at certifiedorganic.bc.ca/programs/
cor.php” www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/
programs/cor.php.
Complaints on this form are to be directed
to the Canada Organic Office directly
mailto: [email protected]
Social Media COABC is on Facebook at www.
facebook.com/pages/Certified-Organic-
Associations-of-BC/208548192519986
and on Twitter, username coabccanada.
Join our online community.
REMINDERS
NEWSLETTER LINKSBC Agriculture Council COABC is a member under the Community Agriculture seat:
www.bcac.bc.ca/
OFC info-bio:
www.organicfederation.ca/newsletter
BCSPCA:
www.support.spca.bc.ca/site/MessageViewer?em_id=7661.0&dlv_id=24241
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Remember…Got an Organic Question? Try
Cyber-help www.certifiedorganic.
bc.ca/rcbtoa/index.
If you change your address
or contact information send it
to your CB office as soon as
possible so that you don’t miss
out on receiving a BCOG and
other materials.