Proposed organic product regulation open to public comment

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is calling for comments from interested parties on proposed regulations to govern the use of a federal organic logo and accreditation/certification requirements for organic agricultural products.

According to the CFIA, the purpose of the regulations is to establish a system by which the agency can regulate the use of the “Canada Organic” agricultural product label. The proposed regulations were developed after a process of consultation with stakeholders between 2004 and 2005.

The new regulatory framework would use standards as developed by the Canadian General Standards Board called “Organic Production Systems General Principles and Management Standards.” The intent is to create a single Canadian standard for organic products, which would be offered for international recognition in an effort to ensure continued access to export markets, and to provide consistent labeling for the protection of consumers.

Under the new program, existing certification and accreditation bodies would have the opportunity to continue to deliver services by meeting the CFIA’s prescribed criteria. In effect, the food inspection agency will accredit the accreditation agencies, which will accredit the certifiers, who, in turn, will ensure that the national standard has been followed.

The proposed new regulations have now been published in the Canada Gazette, which began a 75-day period for comment. That period ends November 16, 2006.

Detailed information, including the actual language of the regulations and a “Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement,” are available online through the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca (under “Recent Amendments”), or on the Canada Gazette website at www.canadagazette.gc.ca.

According to the latest statistics available from the Canadian Organic Growers, there are 1,245 certified organic producers in Saskatchewan (representing around 34 per cent of total organic producers in Canada) farming an estimated 720,000 acres of land. There are some 99 certified organic processors and 13 certified handlers and traders of organic products in the province, as well.

Blaine Recksiedler is the Cereal and Organic Crop Specialist with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food. He noted that, in terms of the development of regulations for their product, “the organic sector has always felt it is important for their members to be part of the process. Participating in the comment period is an opportunity to continue in that role.”

He noted that all comments on the proposed organic products regulations must be submitted in writing to:

Dr. Bashir Manji
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 0Y9
tel: 613-221-7154
fax: 613-221-7294
E-mail: bashirm@inspection.gc.ca

Comments must be received by November 16, 2006.

Recksiedler stressed that, although the new regulations are a federal—not provincial—government process, he would welcome calls from industry stakeholders wishing to discuss the national program.

For more information, contact:

Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: (613) 228-6682

Blaine Recksiedler, Cereal and Organic Crop Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-4664