term organic in B.C. has been a “real drag” on legitimate organic producers in this province, says Cipes. “People will criticize the standard, and feel that they’re better than it is, but that opens the door to false claims. It’s selfish to not certify and then to criticize the standard.”
While he admits the current organic standard may not be perfect, he says it’s a good standard; one that consumers can rely on. The alternative of personal inspections by consumers may work for a winery that makes 100 cases of wine because everyone who buys a bottle could come and drink it on the farm. “They would know how I farm and they could certify that through their own eyes,” explains Cipes. “With commercial production, it’s simply not possible for every consumer to see every operation. “Organic certification is about integrity. Sure there’s additional cost and paperwork, but there’s a reason we do it; so we can market our products with integrity,” says Cipes. Having an organic vineyard is quite different from having a winery certified organic, he notes. B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association president Fred Steele says the proposal is welcomed by many, but he adds, “There will always be some who flaunt the system.”
While organic tree fruits are in the minority, with just a small percentage of growers certified, he admits there is a need for it.
“It’s like foodsafe certification. No one likes the paperwork, but it provides consumers with certainty about the source of their food,” he says.
Other growers say the high costs for certification are prohibitive for small farmers, and the consumer would have to be willing to pay more to cover those producer costs in order for organic certification to be economically viable for orchardists.
The Plan
Currently certification by a federally-accredited certification body is required to market as ‘certified organic’ outside B.C.
The provincial program follows the same standard as the national program, but with streamlined record- keeping and documentation practices. The change that’s proposed won’t
14 British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2015
come into effect until after input, particularly from the organic sector, and after an ‘appropriate’ transition period for growers who wish to achieve, or are working towards organic certification, according to the provincial agriculture ministry. Then a brand will be created to market B.C. organic foods. Enforcement would be complaint- driven, and producers, processors and handlers of organic products, including at farm gate sales, farmers’ markets and retail stores, would be required to have documentation verifying their accredited certification. Provincial agriculture minister Norm Letnick comments, “By working with B.C. organic sector stakeholders, we’ll develop a model that creates consumer and industry certainty around organic products, and ensures transitional strategies are in place to help small businesses seeking the benefits of joining a brand of recognized organic standards. “There are huge opportunities for local organic food producers in B.C. and around the world and this is a key step the B.C. government and stakeholders are taking to best take advantage of them.”
Once the proposal becomes law, products not certified as organic can no longer be promoted or sold in B.C. using the term ‘organic,’ with the idea that it will provide assurance to the consumer that goods so-labelled have been produced under guidelines limiting the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers or genetically-modified organisms. Processed foods certified organic do
not contain chemical preservatives or synthetic additives such as colourings or waxes. Organic farming involves ensuring the sustainable health of the ecosystem in which plants are grown, with a focus on soil regeneration, water conservation and animal welfare.
Instead, organic farmers use quality compost, cover crops and crop rotation to nourish the soil naturally. Organic farming helps prevent topsoil erosion, improves soil fertility, protects groundwater and conserves energy.
The Certified Organic Association of B.C. is the umbrella organization that currently represents certifying agencies in B.C. and includes 564 member operations already producing organic goods and 96 farms in transition.
COABC represents 11 certifying bodies.
First, there are those that handle products traded exclusively within B.C.: the province-wide Bio-Dynamic and NOOA, BOPA in the Boundary area, IOPA at the coast, KOGS in the Kootenays, LEOGA and SOOPA in the South Okanagan and Similkameen and STOPA in the Shuswap and Thompson area.
Then, there are the Canada-wide, CFIA-ISO-accredited certification bodies for those wishing to access markets outside B.C.: BC Association for Regenerative Agriculture, or BCARA, Fraser Valley Organic Producers’ Association or FVOPA and Pacific Agricultural Certification Society or PACS.
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