Organic Standards
Complete information on the regulation of organic products in Canada is available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website. The Canadian Organic Standards are composed of two parts:
- CAN/CGSB 32.310 – Organic Production Systems – General Principles and Management Standards
- CAN/CGSB 32.311 – Organic Production Systems – Permitted Substances Lists
In addition, the Standards Interpretation Committee is responsible for answering questions related to the interpretation of the standards:
Certification Bodies
Organic certification bodies are accredited under the Canada Organic Regulations (COR). They vary according to fee structure, internal policies and procedures, customer service, and the formatting and management of certification-related documentation. The Andersons does not have any specific certification-related requirements beyond the standard Canada Organic Standard certification with European (EU) and US (NOP) equivalence.
Sector Organizations
The Andersons is a proud member of the Canada Organic Trade Association and the Organic Council of Ontario.
- Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA)
The Canada Organic Trade Association is the membership-based trade association for the organic sector in Canada, representing growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and all points along the organic value chain. - Organic Council of Ontario (OCO)
OCO is the Voice for Organics in Ontario. A membership-based non-profit association that represents Ontario’s organic sector, OCO is the only trade association working and advocating on behalf of the entire organic industry, from field to plate. - Canadian Organic Growers (COG)
Canadian Organic Growers (COG) is a national charitable organization with members in all regions of Canada. COG’s membership is diverse and includes farmers, gardeners, processors, retailers, educators, policy-makers, and consumers. - Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO)
The EFAO’s mission is to support and promote a vibrant community of ecological farmers through education, training and knowledge sharing.
Resources for Producers
Organic production is knowledge-intensive. Today’s organic farmers have an ever-increasing number of resources to help continually improve their production practices. Remember that The Andersons staff and specialists are always available to help advise on production and management practices suited to your specific farming operation.
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC)
The Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) is a national organization, based at the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia. Founded in 2001, OACC aims to serve Canada’s organic sector through science and education.
OrganicBiz
Look to OrganicBiz as your online source of news and information specifically tailored to the needs of farmers already practising organic agriculture and farmers considering it.
Pivot and Grow
Pivot and Grow is a program of the Prairie Organic Grain Initiative designed to help increase the quantity and quality of organic grains produced in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Centre d’expertise et de transfer en agriculture biologique et de proximité (CETAB+)
An organic agriculture expertise and transfer centre at Victoriaville, QC. Supporting organic agriculture with applied research, technology transfer, and conferences.
Acres USA
Acres U.S.A. is North America’s oldest publisher on production-scale organic and sustainable farming.
Rodale Institute
Home of North America’s longest-running organic research trials, and innovators in organic no-till systems.
eOrganic
eOrganic is the organic agriculture community of practice with [USDA] eXtension. Our mission is to foster a research and outreach community, engage farmers and ag professionals through trainings and publications, and support research and outreach projects.
Partner
The Andersons works with Sylvite in order to offer organic producers a full range of agronomically-proven seeds, soil amendments, and crop production aids. Please visit the Sylvite website for more information.
