[BCFSN] Public Review - Canadian Organic Standards - til Sept 22nd

Thu Sep 4 23:01:30 EDT 2014

Hello all,
thought that some of you may want to participate in this consultation on
some proposed changes to the organic standard. As you will see below, one
of the questions is on the use of genetically engineered substrates, among
others.

Please see below and follow the links to the consultation if you are so
inclined.
in good food,
Abra

--
Abra Brynne
PO Box 684, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4
phone: 250.352.5342

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nicole Boudreau <boudreau.nicole at videotron.ca>
Date: Thu, Sep 4, 2014 at 2:37 PM
Subject: [canreg] Reminder - Public Review - Canadian Organic Standards
To: canreg at certifiedorganic.bc.ca

*September 4 2014*

*Review of the Canadian Organic Standards*

*A simplified version of the draft standards to facilitate the consultation
process*

*Should we relax the requirements regarding parallel production *

*during the transition period?*

*Should the sector accept that microorganisms grown on GM substrates *

*be used in organic production when no other product is commercially
available?*

*Should the buffer zone requirements for honey production be modified?*

The Canadian Organic Standards is now under review, and many modifications
are suggested in order to modernize and clarify organic practices. *A
public review is currently open, until September 22nd 2014, in order to
gather feedback from organic operators and the public.*

To consult the proposed modifications, click on the following links:

*General Principles and Management Standards*

   - A draft version with tracked changes
   <https://ssf.scc.ca/forums/cgsb-ongc/dispatch.cgi/f.discussion19/showPrimaryFile/100015/20140724132116>
   - A “clean” draft version
   <https://ssf.scc.ca/forums/cgsb-ongc/dispatch.cgi/f.discussion19/showPrimaryFile/100014/20140724131951>

*Permitted Substances Lists*

·         *A draft version with tracked changes
<https://ssf.scc.ca/forums/cgsb-ongc/dispatch.cgi/f.discussion19/showPrimaryFile/100017/20140724132331>*

*·         **A “clean” draft version
<https://ssf.scc.ca/forums/cgsb-ongc/dispatch.cgi/f.discussion19/showPrimaryFile/100016/20140724132237>*

*You can also consult the two attached documents that present a simplified
version of the modifications.*

*To help you consulting these documents:*

·         *Underlined text indicates an addition to the standard*

·         *Strikethrough text indicates a removal from the standard*

·         *Background colors in certain sections are meaningless*

*Here are some of the proposed modifications:*

·         Addition of new production units to an existing organic operation
is simplified (cl. 5.1.2)

·         Parallel production under the transition period is reassessed;
the production of the same crop under organic and conventional management
would be allowed under certain conditions, including the prohibition of any
genetically modified crop; refer to clause 5.1.3.

·         In animal production, the feeding of calves, lambs and kids is
better covered (cl. 6.4.3.a);

·         The *Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Farm Animals*
is referenced in many clauses of the standard;

·         It is suggested to allow a derogation for dairy farms when
compliance to housing standards would require major renovations (such as a
new construction) (cl. 6.8.9.1)

·         Minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for cattle are
specified (cl. 6.8.8);

·         Living conditions for poultry include multi-level systems and
mobile units (cl. 6.8.11.10, 6.8.11.11);

·         Production of organic rabbits is better defined (cl. 6.8.12);

·         The buffer zone for honey production is revised (cl. 7.1.9);

·         Organic mushroom production section is reorganized (section 7.3);

·         Sections 8 and 9 are rewritten;

·         Table 4.2 of the Permitted Substances Lists is reorganized;

·         Annotations for many substances are revised in the various PSL
tables.

…. And many more propositions that you can comment by consulting online
documentation.

The OFC has published reports about the modifications adopted by the
Technical Committee on Organic Agriculture at the December 2013
<http://www.organicfederation.ca/sites/documents/32-20-C12-E%20December%20TC%20mtg%20eng.pdf>
and April 2014
<http://www.organicfederation.ca/sites/documents/32-20-C13-E%20April%20TC%20mtg%20eng.pdf>
meetings. The OFC website <http://www.organicfederation.ca/> includes a
whole section dedicated to the COS review. Do not hesitate to consult this
documentation: the organic standards are applied by all Canadian operators,
and all should have their say!
*To submit a comment*

For submitting a comment on the proposed changes to either or both
CAN/CGSB-32.310 General Principles and Management Standards and
CAN/CGSB-32.311 Permitted Substances Lists, please use the following form:

*32-20 Comment Form - formulaire pour commentaire
<http://www.organicfederation.ca/sites/documents/32-20%20Comment%20Form%20-%20formulaire%20pour%20commentaire-1.doc>*

info at organicfederation.ca    www.federationbiologique.ca

If you wish to unsubscribe from this list email:
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or
  http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/programs/cor.php
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