An Organic Inspector’s Dilemma: Responding to Questions on Production Standards Requirements

1. An Organic Inspector’s Dilemma: Responding to Questions on Production Standards Requirements and Sharing Relevant Research While Avoiding Consulting with Organic Operators J.G. Gibson, Chair Organic Food Council of Manitoba - a chapter of Canadian Organic Growers International Organic Inspectors Association Accredited Organic Inspector and Trainer Introduction Framing Interview Questions Without Consulting Conclusion Organic inspectors need to frame and pose questions to organic operators to assess the understanding that informs their production system problem solving and planning. This usually involves an exchange of questions, a conversation between Inspectors can meet their requirements as organic inspectors; maintain their Codes of Ethics and Conduct - “Inspectors support and encourage the development, implementation and advancement of organic agriculture and processing” (IOIA Ethics Statement) - and play an important role in organic extension, once they have answered where the inspection/verification officer role starts and stops on the continuum of sharing extension resources. While educating themselves to assess soil quality and biodiversity, inspectors often access research resources that may also assist the organic operators in more fully understanding the application of the seven Organic Principles and Section #5.4 of the Canadian Organic Standards (COS) in specific contexts. Extension services from organic specialists are available with wide access variations across Canada. The most frequent on-farm operator and inspector, leading to references to specific standards, applicable in the situation under discussion, and possibly reference to relevant research to inform the operators’ problem solving. This assessment conversation involves making many management system observations about the implementation and effects of their Organic System Plan and its annual update but must not include consulting to solve non- compliance issues. organic visitor often is the organic inspector. Assisting operators to understand the relevant COS required for their operations to meet standards is a responsibility of organic inspectors, yet this must be done without consulting. Methods to help producers’ understand the COS while respecting the limits of inspectors’ responsibilities may include having open discussions with growers to encourage the producer to propose solutions to the presenting problems. Meeting the ISO requirements does not mean inspectors have to be ‘shut up, take notes, and report’ inspectors. Organic inspectors must understand the potential impact of how they ask questions and what questions they ask! References Canadian Organic Office - Operating Manual www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/man/orgbiomane.shtml Canadian Organic Standards: www.caeq.ca/new-version-canadian-organic-standards International Organization for Standardization: www.iso.org/iso Dr. Yvonne Lawley: U of M Plant Science: yvonne_lawley@umanitoba.ca Manitoba Composting Association: www.manitobacomposting.com/ Janine Gibson: Intercropping for Pest Control: www.cog.ca/our-services/magazine/cog-magazine/ Finch, S. and R.H. Collier. 2008. Host Plant Selection by Insects. Encyclopedia of Entomology, Part 8, pp. 1863-1873. www.springerlink.com/content/ q795n72094755036/fulltext.html Dr. Martin Entz: Dept. of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Natural Systems Agriculture: www.umanitoba.ca/outreach/ naturalagriculture/ IOIA Ethics Statement: www.ioia.net/ethics.html Organic Standards and Protocol Requirements Referencing Publicly Available Relevant Research Organic standards in Canada require producers to “establish and maintain a fertile soil using practices that maintain or increase soil humus levels that supply an optimum balance and supply of nutrients and that stimulates biological activity within the soil.” (Canadian General Standards Board. CGSB/CAN 32:310, Section 5.4 Soil Fertility Asking if the producers are aware of certain publicly available references to research findings within the context of the on-site inspection can be very useful for producers’ understanding of applying the organic standards. Examples of recent discussion topics during field inspections include: mitigating flood impacts on soil quality, and references to University of Manitoba Plant Scientist Dr. Yvonne Lawley’s green manure research work and the Manitoba Composting Association website www.manitobacomposting.com; options for more effective horticultural pest control and reference to the Landing Theory article in the Canadian Organic Grower magazine; responding to reducing green house gas emission questions with referral to U of MB Plant Scientist Dr. Martin Entz and colleagues. and Crop Nutrient Management). Organic inspectors assess producers’ compliance to this and all relevant standards while conducting the required annual on site organic inspection of the operation. The protocol requirements of the Canada Organic Office must meet ISO requirements http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/orgbio/man/orgbiomane.shtml which prohibit inspectors offering consultation to solve compliance issues during an inspection. Acknowledgements Thanks to Mitch McGuire for nature/garden photos, Margaret Scoles (IOIA) for paraphrases and Joanne Thiessen Martens for poster layout.