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: OPR.RPB@inspection.gc.ca

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.