The Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Committee on Organic Agriculture, or “Technical Committee” (TC) met in Ottawa, March 19-21, 2019 as part of its regular 5-year, cyclical review of the Canadian Organic Standards (COS).
CHC continues to participate in several Task Force and Working Groups, organized by the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC), which have been meeting via conference call throughout the winter to discuss various petitions and make recommendations to the Technical Committee.
The March TC meetings discussed several proposals important to horticultural growers, namely:
- Seed and Planting Stock, and Seed treatment;
- Sprouts, Shoots and Microgreens;
- Protected Crop Structures and Containers (previously known as Greenhouse Crops), and;
- 100% Artificial Lighting
The review process will include a public consultation expected in Spring, 2019.
The Canadian Organic Standards are the backbone of the growing domestic and export-oriented organic industry. Starting January 15, 2019, the original reference in Canada’s Organic Products Regulations, 2009, was replaced by Part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.
More information can be found at the OFC Info-Bio newsletter, or by contacting Julie Paillat, National Coordinator, Greenhouse Vegetable Industry, CHC at .