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Organics F.A.Q.s |
What is organic food?
Organic food is food that is grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals. Organic crops are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for at least three years prior to harvest. Cover crops, compost, and other natural fertilizers are used for maintaining soil fertility and are necessary for sustaining certification; biological control and natural pesticides are used for pest control. Organic livestock production requires that animals are fed organic feed, have access to pasture or the outside, and restricts the use of antibiotics and hormones.
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Should my production be certified?
Yes. Certified organic means that an independent third party has verified that the organic standards have been met for the past 3 years. Section 4.2.9 of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising states: "The use of the term "organic", when applied to a product that has not been produced and handled according the certification requirements of an independent organic certification body, has the potential to be considered misleading and deceptive under section 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act and section 7 of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act". Canadian Food Inspection Agency officers are responsible for enforcement of labelling regulations.
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How much will certification cost?
A membership may range from $25 to $500 per representative depending upon the certifying agency. This membership will be charged on an annual basis. Other charges depend on the time taken for the certification process and the verification inspections. Hourly rates can be as much as $30/hr. Check with your certifying body as prices vary. Fees will range depending upon the size of the farm, complexity of the inspection and the fees charged by the verification officer. A commercial dairy farm under normal conditions would likely pay at least $600 per year.
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Do I have to apply every year?
Organic certification is done on an annual basis and it is the responsibility of the member to insure re-application dates are met.
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Will my farm be inspected and by whom?
Yes your farm will be inspected. The certifying body will appoint a trained, third party verification officer to visit twice in the first year of transition to organic, and once per year thereafter. More inspections may be required and will depend upon the certifying body and the conditions on the farm. The officer inspects all the production areas, including barns, fields and pastures as well as any processing and handling facilities. Verification officers will ask questions regarding production practices, and request to view the production and input/output records.
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What kind of records do I need to maintain?
Organic producers must maintain a clear and verifiable audit trail for all organic products produced. The following is a list of example records that a producer must have to insure a complete audit trail:
Inputs: A clear record of all materials applied to fields and crops, used in livestock production or used in processing. Prohibited, regulated and allowed substances must all be documented. Required information includes:
Categories of most likely farm, processing or handling inputs include but are not limited to:
Production/Processing/Handling Records: Farm or firm files must contain dated records showing the amounts of crops, livestock and poultry products produced, products processed or handled, listed by crop or product, and field, production unit, processing or handling facility. Amounts may be determined by weight, volume or unit, but should be kept consistent throughout the records.
Sales Records: Records must be kept, by crop or product and field, production unit, processing or handling facility of the dates, buyers, and amounts of crops or products sold. In the case of processors and handlers, precise records of products purchased from other producers or processors are necessary.
Records of farmgate or product sales need only include total volume by crop or product and date of sale. These records do not need to report the dollar values of the sale. Wherever possible, consistent identification of products and materials within records, by means of invoice numbers, tags or lot numbers, should be maintained. Such records shall be maintained for at least FIVE (5) years after the crop or product is sold and delivered.
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Do processors need to be certified for my product to be sold as certified?
It is the responsibility of the producer to insure that the certified organic products they are marketing are not contaminated with prohibited materials and that the products are handled and processed according to the organic certification standards. A producer who hires non-certified processors, handlers and distributors will be required by the certifying body to demonstrate that the integrity of certified organic products had been maintained.
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Do processors need to be certified?
Processors who purchase and process organic food products and are not certified are required to substantiate label claims to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
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Are there any restrictions on labeling my organic products as organic if I become certified?
There are no restrictions to labeling products as organic provided the product is certified organic and the label is approved by the certification agency. Follow normal federal labeling approval procedures.
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What is organic feed?
Organic livestock standards require that the animals are raised on certified organic feed. Organic feed is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for at least three years prior to harvest. Organic feed can have some feed additives such as vitamins, minerals and probiotics added to it as long as they are approved by the certifying organic authority. Approved feed additives are listed in the organic livestock standards.
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What kind of health care medicine can I give to my livestock?
A proper herd health program should include strategies for disease prevention, parasite control and disease treatment. Producers of organic animal products may only market healthy animals and animal products. Organic producers of livestock products must not withhold disease treatment in order to represent the livestock product as organic. All vaccinations for endemic disease are approved. Herbal, naturopathic and homeopathic treatments are approved for use on organic animals. Discuss with your veterinarian potential natural treatment programs.
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How do I contact the Organic Certification Agencies?
If you have any questions, or if you would like to apply, please contact your local certifying body or the Certified Organic Associations of BC. Information on organic certification, organic production and processing standards are also posted on the COABC website and Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada website.
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