National Standards
Organic Agriculture - National Standard of Canada CAN/CGSB-32.310-2006
(excerpt from the Canadian General Standards Board)
For the full standard, visit the CGSB website
INTRODUCTION
Organic agriculture is a holistic system of production designed to optimize the productivity, and fitness of diverse communities within the agroecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people. The principle goal of organic agriculture is to develop productive enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.
Management-intensive practices are carefully selected with the intent to restore and then sustain ecological stability within the enterprise and the surrounding environment. The fertility of soil is maintained and enhanced by a system that promotes optimal biological activity within the soil and conservation of soil resources. Weed, pest and disease management is attained by an integration of biological, cultural and mechanical control methods that include minimized tillage and cultivation, crop selection and rotation, recycling of plant and animal residues, water management, augmentation of beneficial insects to encourage a balanced predator-prey relationship, and the promotion of biological diversity.
Under a system of organic production, livestock are provided with living conditions and stocking rates appropriate to their behavioral requirements, high-quality diet of organically-produced feed, and ethical animal husbandry that facilitates low stress, promotes good health, and prevents disease.
Organic agricultural foods are produced and processed under a system that strives to preserve the integrity of the principles outlined within this standard. Neither this standard, nor foods labelled to identify this standard, represent specific claims to the health, safety, and/or nutrition of such foods.
By themselves, organic practices can not ensure that organic products are entirely free of residues of prohibited substances and other contaminants, since exposure to such compounds from the atmosphere, soil, groundwater and other sources may be well beyond the control of the operator.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC PRODUCTION
The following principles are the foundation of organic production.
Protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health - The main goals of organic production systems are to optimize biological productivity, environmental quality, and community wellness. Operators of organic enterprises strive to reduce or eliminate reliance on practices using natural- or synthetically-based compounds that harm beneficial organisms within the soil, deplete non-renewable resources, compromise water and air quality, or which, through misuse, could endanger the health of agricultural workers, the agricultural community, or the consumer.
Replenish and maintain long-term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil - The health of the soil is an integral component to the soundness of the agroecosystem. A balance of physical, chemical and biological inputs must be addressed in practices to optimize the quantity and diversity of soil organisms and to improve soil fertility. Enhancement of the quality of soil includes, but is not limited to, such practices as the use or incorporation of cover crops, crop rotation, inter-cropping, green manure, recycled plant refuse and animal manure, rotational grazing of livestock, tillage, and the judicious application of supplemental nutrients as permitted by this standard.
Maintain diversity within and surrounding the enterprise and protect and enhance the biological diversity of native plants and wildlife - Biological diversity is essential for the stability and the sustainability of agroecosystems. Diversity is promoted and enhanced during all aspects of organic production, through the selection of relevant crop varieties, livestock breeds, rotation cycles, strategies for pest management, among other inputs and practices permitted by this standard.
Recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise - Operators of organic systems intensively manage the individual enterprise and use biologically-based inputs in place of synthetically-based inputs. Soil nutrients depleted from crop production and natural leaching are replenished by nutrient sources from within the enterprise, and when this is not practical, then the source may be from the surrounding community. Efforts to conserve energy during the transportation, manufacturing and handling of agricultural inputs and products are encouraged to the greatest possible extent.
Provide attentive care that promotes the health and behavioral needs of livestock - Organically raised livestock are managed to prevent disease and promote wellness through a combination of organically-produced diet, adequate housing, ethical animal husbandry, handling practices that minimize stress, and regular monitoring.
Maintain the integrity of organic food and processed products from initial handling to point of sale - Organic agricultural foods, and their ingredients, additives and processing aids, are produced, processed, manufactured and handled in accordance with the principles of the organic system of production and processing. Genetically engineered and/or modified organisms (GEO/GMO), or their products, are not compatible with the principles of organic production and are prohibited from use in any aspect of organic production, processing or manufacturing. Furthermore, the use of ionizing radiation on organic food products (i.e. food irradiation), or their inputs, is not compatible with the principles of organic processing and is prohibited.
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