Regional Certification Bodies
In
Atlantic Canada, there are several different organic certification
bodies (CBs). Below, you will find listed their contact information. We strongly
recommend that you contact several to ask questions and get information packages sent
to you, so you can make an informed decision. It's also a good idea to
speak to other farmers or processors directly about their experiences with different CBs.
Atlantic Certified Organic (ACO) Co-operative
200 Harmony Road
Salmon River, NS B6L 3P6
Phone: 1-888-375-9190 or 902-897-4318
Fax: 902-897-4247
e-mail: aco@ns.aliantzinc.ca
Website: www.atlanticcertifiedorganic.ca
Centre for Systems Integration (CSI)
240 Catherine Street, Suite 200
Ottawa, ON K2P 2G8
Phone: 1-800-516-3300 or 613-236-6451
Fax: 613-236-7000
e-mail: rvanwyk@csi-ics.com
Website: www.csi-ics.com EcoCert Canada
71 St-Onésime
Lévis, QC G6V 5Z4
Phone: 418-838-6941
Fax: 418-838-9823
e-mail: office.canada@ecocert.com
Website: www.ecocertcanada.com
Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) NB Chapter
2002 Cedar Camp Road
South Branch, NB E4E 5E7
Phone: 506-433-3935
Fax: 506-432-9435
e-mail: ocianb@nbnet.nb.ca
Website: www.ocia.org
Pro-Cert Organics Inc.
PO Box 74, 2311 Elm Tree Road
Cambray, ON K0M 1E0
Phone: 705-374-5602
Fax: 705-374-5604
e-mail: infoebo@pro-cert.org
Website: www.ocpro.ca
QMI
20 Carlson Court, Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario M9W 7K6
Phone: 1-800-465-3717
Fax: 416-401-8650
Website: www.qmi.com/registration/foodsafety/orgcert/
Some questions to consider from "How to Choose an Organic Certification Agency" (MOSES, January 2009)
Ask the agencies if they certify farmers in your
particular area. The cost of bringing an inspector to the area will be
less for all farmers in the same region if there are more farmers to
spread the cost. If the inspector is hired by an agency to inspect your
farm alone, then the cost of travel expenses will have to be borne by
you alone.
Are the farmers happy with the service they have received? Does the
agency you are considering provide the services you want? Is there
someone to answer the phone? Does the agency return phone messages
promptly? Are agency staff there to help you through the certification
process? Do they provide blank on-farm audit trail template documents
for the farmer to use?
Does the certification agency answer the farmer’s certification process questions quickly and clearly?
Can you call someone at the agency to verify the acceptability of a
fertilizer or other material and get an answer quickly? Are the agency
standards and materials lists easy to understand and utilize?
Does the certification agency complete the certification
process in a timely manner? How long does the farmer wait for the
inspection to occur, the file to be reviewed, and the certificate to be
issued? Is the process completed in time for the farmer to sell their
crop?
How much does the organic certification cost? Are the agency fees based
on a flat amount, on the projected sales of organic product, on the
actual sales of organic product, or on the amount of acres of organic
land to be certified? What is the inspection and review fee? Is there a
membership fee?
Does the agency sponsor any educational activities
and/or field days? Does the farmer have the opportunity to learn from
other producers, view a variety of crop production methods, and gain
experience from hands-on workshops?
Does the producer gain any other benefits from being a member of this
organization? Being a member of a certification agency can give the
producer access to other organic farmers in their area. Some farmers
share equipment, or work with the same buyers to pool production and
save trucking costs. Does the agency have a newsletter, keeping their
members informed of interesting production methods, changes in the
marketplace or in the governmental regulatory arena?
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