A list of acceptable inputs in organic agriculture can never be complete. In accordance with technological developments in both agricultural production and agri-food product processing, the Accreditation Board will regularly revise this list and add new items if needed. The following criteria are proposed as an analysis checklist which the Board might use to assess the pertinence of a new inclusion.
11.1 Is the Product Necessary?
The inclusion of any new product on the list shall be dictated by need. It will therefore be necessary to determine whether alternatives already recognized in routine organic agricultural practices have proven ineffective. Reference points to be used in verifying genuine need would be based upon improved yield, quality, increased protection of natural environments and ecosystems, and potential impact on human and animal health.
The use of a production input may therefore be restricted, based on:
- specific types of production;
- specific regions;
- specific crop conditions (i.e. the number of kg per hectare);
- specific methods of product application (e.g. use on foliage).
11.2 Origin and Method of Substance Production
Products shall originate from:
- natural and renewable sources (plant or animal);
- mineral sources;
- products not considered of natural origin because they were chemically synthesized, but which have the same molecular structure as a natural product may be accepted (e.g. acetic acid, alcohol, vitamin A, pheromones).
The gathering or mining of substances from natural sources shall not compromise the natural balance of the species in the harvest regions.
When several product sources are available, priority shall be given to products obtained from renewable resources, rather than those from mineral sources, and lastly those synthesized products with the same molecular structure.
Substances from natural or mineral sources may be transformed using the following processes:
- mechanical;
- physical;
- enzymatic;
- micro-organic (e.g. fermentation, composting);
- chemical processing is acceptable only in special situations.
11.3 Environment
The use of acceptable inputs shall not be harmful to the environment (plants, animals and micro-organisms). As well, an acceptable input shall not pose any risk to groundwater, air or soil contamination. The environmental assessment shall study input production phases, its use as well as the length of the degradation period. The product will therefore have to possess the following characteristics:
- Biodegradability
Acceptable inputs shall be capable of biodegrading into CO2 or H2O or returning to their initial mineral form. Non-natural inputs that are highly toxic to non-targeted organisms shall have a half-life of less than five days.
- Toxicity of non-targeted organisms
Acceptable inputs that demonstrate a risk of toxicity for non-targeted organisms shall have restrictions placed on their use (e.g. rate of use, distance from surface water, type of application, spreading etc.).
- Long-term toxicity
Any input having a risk of accumulation within organisms or tissues, or any input having mutagenic or carcinogenic characteristics cannot be acceptable.
11.4 Health Effects
Acceptable inputs shall pose no risk to human health at any stage of production or use.
11.5 Effects on Agricultural Product Quality
Acceptable inputs shall have no negative impact on the taste, appearance or shelf life of agricultural products.
11.6 Socio-Economic Impacts
The inclusion of inputs in acceptable product lists shall take into account any impact on consumers' perception of what an organic product is.
11.7 Equivalency and Harmonization
Inclusion in the list of the acceptable inputs shall take into account the potential of equivalency refusal of the Quebec Organic Reference Standards by other jurisdictions such as, the United States, European Union, Japan, etc. In view of this major constraint, it will no doubt be easier to consider inclusion of input types of production for which Quebec has special expertise (e.g. maple products or wild blueberries). For other types of production, it will be in Quebec's interest to attempt to influence the process in Canada or even as it relates to the Codex Alimentarius.
 |
|
|
|
FAQ
Contact
Français
