Organic standards

Canada’s organic sector

had an important year in

2009, with the establishment

of the federal Organic

Products Regulations.

These previously voluntary

standards – the rulebook

for organic farmers and

processors – have been in

development since 1999,

and are now a mandatory

basis for certification.

“The Canadian government

implemented this

regime at the urging of the

organics sector itself,” says

Michel Saumur, national

manager of the Canadian

Food Inspection Agency

(CFIA) Canada Organic

Office. “The industry felt

there was abuse of the

term organic, with organic

claims being made fraudulently

on behalf of products

that did not comply

with organic principles.”

Consistent labelling

rules, a new, easily recognized

national logo and

strict enforcement by the

CFIA are part of the Canada

Organic certification

requirements. A review of

organic products will also

be conducted by CFIA’s

team of national inspectors

at the border, animal processing

plants, egg-grading

stations and retail locations.

The CFIA’s Canada

Organic Office oversees all

organic activities, including

certification, in Canada.

“In order to be certified,

the farmer or processor

must have an organic plan

and be able to demonstrate

that their practices

don’t risk the organic

integrity of the product,”

says Mr. Saumur.

This mandatory organic

certification will:

• protect consumers

against misleading or

deceptive labelling practices;

• reduce consumer confusion

about the definition

of organic;

• facilitate the access of

Canadian organic products

to foreign markets

that require regulatory

oversight; and

• support further development

of the domestic

market.