Standards for Organic Agriculture
Canada Introduces National Standard for Organic Agriculture
OTTAWA, June 29 1999 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada today unveiled
a new National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture - a step
that will clarify just what the "organic" in organic agriculture
means.
The Government of Canada made the announcement through the Canadian
General Standards Board (CGSB) of Public Works and Government Services
Canada, and the Standards Council of Canada (SCC), a federal Crown
Corporation. The standard outlines principles for organic agriculture
that endorse production and management practices that contribute
to the quality and sustainability of the environment and ensure
the ethical treatment of livestock.
The joint announcement was made today by the Honourable John Manley,
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Standards
Council of Canada, the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, Minister of
Public Works and Government Services, and the Honourable Lyle Vanclief,
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
"We now have a national standard that can be recognized and applied
in markets around the globe," said Minister Manley. "For Canadian
producers of organic agri-foods produce this will translate to greater
and easier access to international markets that demand these kinds
of standards." Mr. Manley added that he was pleased to see the
SCC actively promoting efficient and effective standardization in
accordance with its mandate.
"I am very proud of the consensus-building work done by the Canadian
General Standards Board in managing the development of this important
new standard," said Minister Gagliano. "It was developed through
the CGSB Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture, which comprises
various technical experts who provided broad-based input. Once again,
the CGSB has demonstrated its unique expertise and valuable leadership
as the Government of Canada's leading standardization organization."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which delivers all federally
mandated food inspection activities, supported the Canadian organic
industry in its efforts to establish the national standard. "This
new National Standard of Canada will provide consumers with a consistent
meaning for 'organic', helping them to make more informed choices,"
said Minister Vanclief.
"All food produced in Canada, whether organic or not, must meet
the same stringent requirements for safety and quality."
Among its provisions, the standard:
- prohibits use of ionizing radiation in the preservation of food
- prohibits use of genetically engineered or modified organisms
- encourages maximum use of recycling
- encourages maximum rotation of crops and promotion of biodiversity
A copy of the National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture is available
in PDF.
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