Organic Certification

1
Organic Certification

• Requirements and Choices

2
What Organic Certification Means

• Agricultural crops were grown without the use of
  synthetic pesticides, herbicides, etc.
• The food was produced without the use of
  Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Land has not been treated with prohibited inputs
  for at least 3 years
• Meat and Eggs are from animals fed exclusively
  certified organic feed, no antibiotics or growth
  hormones
• Milk is from animals fed organic feed for at
  least a year, and no routine antibiotics

3
What organic certification means

• Animals are given access to the outdoors, in
  accordance with weather and production stage
• Ruminants are given access to pasture
• Livestock are provided with living conditions
  appropriate for their natural behavioral
  requirements
• The production system aims to protect
  biodiversity and long-term soil health
• Processed food was made without synthetic
  flavourings, preservatives, colours, or additives
• Processed foods contain at least 95 organic
  ingredients

4
Organic certification may mean, but does not
guarantee that

• The product is completely GMO-free
• The product is completely free from pesticide
  residues, heavy-metals, or biological
  contamination
• The product is locally produced
• The product is fair-trade
• The product was produced on a small farm
• The product is nutritionally superior to
  non-organic food

5
Why grow organically?

• Potential for lower input costs (pesticides,
  fertilizers, GMO-seed)
• Higher prices for your products
• Protection of the environment
• Less risk to farmer-health (pesticides)
• Greater long-term sustainability
• Possibly lower capital costs (fewer acres,
  smaller machines, smaller barns)

6
Why not grow organically?

• Cost- certification fees
• Cost- possibly greater production costs (animal
  feed, organic fertilizers, organic weed control)
• Time- filling out application forms, inspection
• Time- possibly greater farm management time
  (field work, pasturing animals, barn cleaning)
• Lack of markets / buyers or market access
• Possibility of reduced yields (corn, wheat,
  dairy)
• Steeper learning curve, fewer training resources

7
If youre organic, why certify?

• After December 14th, 2008, the CFIA will require
  certification for all products labelled Organic
• Organic certification can add value to products
• Often required for access to markets
• Consumer trust
• Fairness to competing certified farmers
• Access to information, planning and
  record-keeping resources from certifiers

8
How do I get certified?Step 1 background
preparation

• Research the Canadian Organic Standard (COS) and
  other relevant standards and understand how they
  apply to your operation
• Obtain training, farming experience as necessary
  learn how to farm organically
• Prepare an Organic Plan Document how you plan
  to farm organically
• Consider hiring a private consultant
• Research and approach potential markets

9
Choosing a certifying bodyPoints to consider

• Who are your buyers? Does the buyer have a
  preference? Do consumers trust the name?
• In which countries will your products be sold?
  (to which standard(s) will you need to be
  certified?)
• How much does the CB charge? How are their fees
  determined? (acreage? of sales?)
• Do they provide good customer service? (ask other
  certified farmers)

10
Some of the CBs active in Ontario(this is not
an exhaustive list)

• ProCert (formerly OCPP)
• Based in Saskatchewan, office in Cambray, ON
• Largest CB in Ontario
• EcoCert
• Based in Quebec, office in Guelph, ON and
  Saskatchewan
• Second largest CB in Ontario
• Quality Assurance International (QAI)
• Based in the USA, office in Guelph
• Focus on processors
• Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)
• Based in USA, no office in Ontario
• Fee structure includes a percentage of sales

11
Some of the CBs active in Ontario(this is not
an exhaustive list)

• Centre for Systems Integration (CSI)
• Based in Ottawa
• Accredited for all major standards
• New on the scene, Primarily does seed
  certification as part of gvt. system
• Demeter International
• Certification according to Organic and BioDynamic
  principles developed by Rudolf Steiner
• Not accredited for the major organic standards
• Local Food Plus (LFP)
• Does NOT offer organic certification
• Offers a private, local ecological
  certification standard

12
Paperwork the Ecocert Example

• There are 3 basic documents to fill out in order
  to become registered.
• Registration Form (2 pages)
• Production Questionnaire (3-4 pages)
• Field History Sheet
• In addition, you may need to keep the following
  records
• Organic Plan
• Production Records (how much did you produce?)
• Field Activity summary (what did you do in the
  fields?)
• Animal Health Records
• Field and farmyard maps
• Proofs of purchase for inputs, data sheets,
  non-GMO certificates, affidavits, proof of
  non-availability
• Documents from other inspection agencies, health
  departments

13
Resources to help with records

• Ecocert has record-keeping templates you can use,
  or you can design your own
• Ecocert accepts electronic records, not necessary
  to print them out
• Your customer representative can help you fill
  out the records
• GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FARMING!