ADMISSIBILITY
1. Certification may be on a whole farm or on a field by field basis. If
the latter, all fields of the farm unit must be committed to an ongoing
program of organic crop improvement. Exceptions may be granted for
portions of the farm which are rented or not under the complete control of
the grower or for unexpected and extreme circumstances. Fields may not be
rotated in and out of organic production and remain certified.
2. No crop can be sold as "N.S.O.G.A. Certified Organic" if the same crop
is also produced elsewhere on the farm using methods or materials that do
not conform to these standards, unless the farmer can clearly demonstrate
that there exist both the physical facilities and the organizational
ability to ensure that there is no possibility of crop mixing. This
criterion applies equally to situations when any uncertified crop is
produced by the same farmer on another farm unit, or is purchased for
resale.
3. A field can be certified organic if there has been no use of
non-acceptable materials (insecticide, herbicide, fungicide, fertilizers,
etc.) or methods during the three years (36 months) before harvest.
4. In cases where an adjoining farm is growing sprayed crops, or there are
other possibilities of contamination from roadsides, there must exist
adequate physical barriers of a 50 foot (16 meter) minimum distance
between organic crops and the possible contaminated area. When
contamination is suspected, residue testing shall be required.
5. Applications must be completed in full prior to scheduling an
inspection. Applications and inspections are required on an annual basis
prior to harvest of the crop(s) being certified.
6. Farms or fields must be managed in accordance with the following
required practices list below, using only authorized methods and
materials.
Required Practices
1. Development and implementation of a conscientious soil building program
designed to enhance organic matter and encourage optimum soil health. (All
first time applicants are required to submit a soil test report with their
applications).
2. Rotation of non-perennial crops in accordance with accepted regional
organic practices.
3. Use of careful management, resistant varieties, intercropping and
maintenance of soil health as the first line of defence against weeds,
insects, diseases, and other problems.
4. Maintenance of machinery and equipment in good condition to avoid
contamination of the soil or crops with hydraulic fluid, fuel, oil, etc.
5. Use of pre-harvest and post-harvest handling procedures and packaging
materials which ensure maximum product quality using techniques and
materials that are consistent with these standards. Irradiation of
certified foods is prohibited.
Certification appeal process
The Certification Committee established the following procedure for
addressing appeals.
If a grower wishes to appeal a decision by the Certification Committee:
The appellant should send a written appeal to the Certification
Committee Coordinator. The appeal must include detailed background
information about the case. The onus is on the grower to provide
information, and the Certification Coordinator may recommend further
research by the appellant before the issue is brought to the committee.
Once the essential material is received, a meeting will be called as
soon as possible,.
The appellant is strongly encouraged to attend the meeting if not
possible, a representative with in-depth knowledge of the case is
required.
The Certification Committee will hear the appeal and make a decision (at
the meeting if possible). Note: the committee needs a quorum of five not
including the appellant or anyone else with a conflict of interest.
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