Why Choose Certification?
What does ‘Certified Organic’ mean?
‘Certified Organic’ assures the consumer that three basic criteria have been met:
1. production has met regulated standards;
2. a yearly inspection has been passed; and
3. an audit trail has been kept.
Standards
‘Certified Organic’ assures the consumer that the product has been produced according to regulated standards, which include, as stated above, production without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, sewage sludge, irradiation to preserve food or genetically modified organisms or genetically engineered seed/stock. Livestock are not subjected to intensive feedlots, nor to antibiotics, medicated feed or growth hormones. Farmers also judiciously employ management techniques such as well-designed crop rotations, replenishment of organic matter, use of green manures and composting. Certified organic practices assure the consumer that production has meet national organic standards regulated through certification agencies. While specifics may change between certifying bodies, Canada has national standards that define organic agriculture and the products produced under this system and certifying bodies will assure at least this minimum is maintained. Many certifying bodies maintain standards higher than the minimum qualifications required in Canada and maintain standards equivalent to or higher than international standards as well. For more detailed information regarding standards, refer to the Canadian General Standards Board and the various certifying bodies listed in the Resource Guide.
Inspection
When a product is labelled ‘Certified Organic’ the consumer can trust that there has been a carefully monitored transitional period on the farm/production facility during which all organic standards have been met or exceeded and that each farm/production facility is certified each and every year thereafter. Farms can lose their certification if they fail to meet any one of the standards. Certification would be reinstated as soon as the inspector and the certification board were satisfied that problem has been resolved and the standards maintained. Inspection is carried out by trained, independent inspectors who can, for example, request that the grower provide soil, water and plant tissue tests.
Audit Trail
‘Certified Organic’ products must have an audit trail to ensure that a product can be traced back to the producer and to the records detailing how that product was produced. Why Support An Organic Food System? The Power of the Consumer Why support an organic food system? It’s a very reasonable question with several practical answers. Today’s consumers are increasingly aware of the important role they can and should play in influencing the world around them. Issues such as health, the environment and economic growth are on the platform of most every government body. Why? Because it’s important to the public. The public wants accountability and they want solutions, especially when the issues are the environment or public health. Outbreaks of disease among livestock, contamination of public water supplies and the destruction of marine habitats leave the public asking why and asking for solutions. The power of the consumer and of the voting body is enormous. In asking ourselves what can be done to protect the environment, health and indeed make a living, we often feel burdened by a task that’s seemingly insurmountable. How on earth can we make a difference? Organic agriculture tackles this issue at some of its most basic levels, allowing the consumer to influence future decisions in government through a simple purchase. Consumers, along with their purchasing dollars and their votes can make a difference. The desire for economic growth often sabotages changes that would benefit the environment and public health; however, even governments now acknowledge that organic agriculture may offer the greatest chance of any form of agriculture for economic growth tied to environmental protection and sustainability. These changes are, in great part, a result of public pressure and by organic farmers demonstrating that “It can be done.”
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