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certification
Schedule of Fees
Organic certification is the process whereby
a certification body (such as NSOGA) reviews a farm's (or other applicant)
application, and decides whether to proceed with a visit to the
applicant's operation by an independent third party inspector. The
application is judged by both the certifying body and the inspector for
its adherence to the certifying body's standards which are based on the
principal aims of organic agriculture (listed below).
After the farm visit, the inspector recommends to the certifying body
whether or not the applicant should be granted certified organic status.
This allows the applicant to use the seal of the certifying body on their
products.
The Principal Aims of Organic Agriculture:
* To work with natural systems rather than seeking to dominate them.
* To encourage and enhance biological cycles with the farming systems,
involving micro-organisms, soil flora and fauna, plants and animals.
* To maintain and increase long-term fertility of soils.
* To use, as far as possible, renewable resources in locally organized
agricultural systems.
* To work, as much as possible, within a closed system with regard to
organic matter and nutrient elements.
* To give all livestock conditions of life that allow them to perform all
aspects of their innate behavior.
* To avoid all forms of pollution that may result from agricultural
activities.
* To maintain the genetic diversity of the agricultural system and its
surrounds, including the protection of plant and wildlife habitats.
* To allow agricultural producers an adequate return and satisfaction from
their work including a safe working environment.
* To consider the wider social and ecological impact of the farming
system.
In order to attain these objectives, the organic agriculture movement has
adopted certain techniques that respect natural ecological balances, and
make it possible to avoid such products (synthetic fertilizers,
pesticides, etc.) and such methods (forcing of plant and animal growth,
industrial methods of livestock management, etc.) which are contrary to
the principle aims.
Adapted from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements
(IFOAM) Basic Standards of Organic Agriculture. |
